UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  SAN  DIEGO 


3  1822  01560  9373 


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THE   BOSTON   HIGH   SCHOOL   OF 
COMMERCE   IN    THE    WORLD    WAR 


THE  BOSTON  HIGH  SCHOOL 
OF  COMMERCE  IN  THE 
WORLD    WAR 


EDITED    BY    FACULTY    COMMITTEE 

WILLIAM   H.   CUNNINGHAM 

JAMES   E.   DOWNEY 

CLARENCE   B.   HILL 

WILLIAM   H.   H.   PEIRCE 


PRINTED    AT 

THE    PLIMPTON    PRESS 

Norwood,  Mass.,  U.  S.  A. 

1921 


C|)!!5  36ook  10  SDeDicateO 

TO  THE  PATRIOTISM  OF  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 
COMMERCE  MEN — ALUMNI  AND  INSTRUCTORS  — 
WHO  DURING  THE  WAR  AGAINST  THE  CEN- 
TRAL POWERS  GAVE  UP  THE  COMFORT  AND 
SECURITY  OF  CIVILIAN  LIFE  AND  FOUGHT 
IN  DEFENCE  OF  OUR  COUNTRY'S  CAUSE.  OF 
THOSE  WHO  PAID  THE  "LAST  FULL  MEASURE 
OF  devotion"  we  mourn  THEIR  YOUNG 
LIVES  SACRIFICED;  WE  SHARE  THE  GRIEF  OF 
THEIR  COMRADES  AND  KINDRED;  AND  WE 
ARE  PROUD  TO  HONOR  IN  THEM  THE  EAGER, 
VALIANT,  AND  SELF-FORGETFUL  SPIRIT  OF 
AMERICAN    MANHOOD. 


FOREWORD 

THE  articles  in  this  section  were  written  at 
the  request  of  the  editor.  They  afford 
admirable  evidence  of  the  courage,  the 
spirit  of  adventure,  the  unselfish  loyalty  which 
motivated  so  large  a  number  of  the  young  men 
who  made  up  our  army  and  navy.  Written  from 
various  angles,  they  form  a  vivid  composite  picture 
of  the  struggle,  enabhng  us  to  ghmpse  at  least 
darkly  the  complexity  and  hugeness  of  the  forces 
which  the  War  aroused  into  action. 

The  sincere  thanks  of  the  School  are  due  to 
the  authors  of  these  reminiscences,  not  only  for 
their  willingness  to  give  aid  in  the  making  of  this 
memorial  to  our  boys  in  the  service,  but  also  for 
the  verve  and  simplicity  which,  for  the  most  part, 
characterize  the  writing. 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

The  26th  Division  Starts  for  Paris 3 

Subterranean  Flapjacks 25 

Naval  Experiences 29 

The  Air  Service  Mechanics  School 37 

Sketches  from  the  Log  of  a  Naval  Recruit  .  45 

More  or  Less  Official 53 

Hospital  Service  in  France 61 

Training  for  Air  Service 67 

Submarine  Two  Points  off  the  Port  Bow!  .    .  75 

In  Khaki 83 

The  Sailor  in  the  War 93 

Impressions  —  Post  and  Posted loi 

The  Counter  Attack  at  Chateau-Thierry  (YD)  1 15 

With  the  Marines 123 

What  the  School  did  at  Home 149 

Reprints  from  the  "Tradesman" 153 

Letters 167 

Roll  of  Honor  and  Record  of  Service.    ...  177 


THE  26th   division    STARTS   FOR 
PARIS 


Commerce  in  the  War 


THE   26th   division   STARTS   FOR 
PARIS 

ANSON    EARL    SAWYER,  '15 
Sergeant,  loist  Engineers 

SAY,  you  fellows,  just  look  here!  We  must 
be  getting  near  Paris."  There  was  a  rush 
for  the  open  side  door  of  the  rapidly  moving 
box  car.  What  a  sight!  Yes,  we  were  rapidly 
approaching  Paris.  The  buildings  beside  the  track 
were  now  closer  together  and  of  a  distinctly  urban 
type.  More  and  more  people,  mostly  girls  and 
women,  were  waiting  along  our  path  —  cheering 
wildly;  all  had  American  flags,  and  every  window 
in  every  house  on  either  side  proudly  displayed 
the   Stars   and   Stripes. 

There  was  an  enthusiastic  response  on  the  train. 
Here  were  houses  with  whole  roofs  and  walls, 
streets  free  from  shell  holes,  trees  that  were  not 
snapt  off"  at  the  base,  and  in  place  of  the  worn- 
out  peasant  women  were  literally  thousands  of 
pretty  Parisiennes.  It  had  been  rumored  that  we 
had  been  picked  to  parade  in  Paris  July  fourth, 
but   with   a   scepticism   born   of  many   disappoint- 


4  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

ments,  we  had  rejected  the  supposition  because  it 
was  simply  too  good  to  be  true.  Yet  here  we  were 
in  the  very  outskirts  of  Paris,  within  sight  of  Eiffel 
Tower,  and  just  in  time,  for  this  was  the  evening 
of  July  second.  Was  it  any  wonder  the  boys  went 
wild?  Already,  vindicated  prophets  were  claim- 
ing acknowledgment  to  eager  cries  of  "I  told  you 
so!"  Some  of  the  more  imaginative  were  already 
saving  the  officers  trouble  by  figuring  out  in  ad- 
vance just  how  the  company  was  going  to  be 
billeted. 

Gradually  we  became  aware  that  the  train  was 
slowing  down.  It  was  a  railroad  yard  ahead,  at 
the  station  of  Noisy  le  Sec.  We  had  stopped,  and 
many  were  the  conjectures  made  as  to  the  cause. 
The  prophets  and  soothsayers  uttered  words  of 
wisdom  to  the  effect  that  we  were  taking  on  water 
or  changing  the  engine,  but  a  prophet  has  no  honor 
in  his  own  company.  The  major  dashed  down  the 
platform  and  received  from  some  mysterious  source 
a  still  more  mysterious  communication  which  he 
read.  He  smiled,  and  handed  it  to  another  officer 
who  read  it,  followed  the  major's  example  and 
smiled.  The  captain  handed  it  to  a  lieutenant  who 
read  it,  forgot  to  smile,  and  then,  recollecting  him- 
self, had  the  poor  taste  to  laugh,  whereupon  he  was 
sternly  rebuked.  The  engine  jolted  the  first  car, 
the  train  sprang  back  in  recoil,  and  jerkily  backed 
off  onto  a  siding,  where  it  reversed  its  field  and  took 
a  new  direction.  Something  had  gone  wrong. 
Paris,    with    its    glamour    and    alluring    attractions 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  5 

was  fading  behind.  The  river  that  wound  between 
the  banks  below  the  tracks  was  not  the  Seine,  but 
the  Ourcq,  and  that  water  under  the  straight  rows 
of  poplars  was  the  Marne  canal.  We  were  not 
going  to  parade  in  Paris,  but  instead  we  were  head- 
ing for  the  hottest  part  of  the  Western  front.  The 
truth  dawned  slowly  upon  unwilHng  minds.  The 
solacing  words  of  the  soothsayers  were  of  no  avail 
against  the  determined  grief  of  the  disappointed 
"bon  vivants"  who  had  already  laid  plans  for  a 
celebration  and  would  not  be  comforted.  An  irre- 
pressible optimist,  however,  ventured  to  say  that 
that  was  closer  than  the  Kaiser  had  come  and  we 
could  at  least  say  that  we  had  seen  Paris.  He  was 
promptly   and   vigorously   silenced. 

Back  to  the  front?  Why,  we  had  just  left  the 
front!  The  Division  had  "broken  in"  at  Chemin  des 
Dames  in  February.  Easter  Sunday  we  went  into 
the  hnes  in  the  Toul  front,  where  we  had  remained 
through  June.  Thus  far  we  had  been  most  for- 
tunate and  our  company  had  come  through  with- 
out a  single  serious  casualty.  While  out  working 
in  front  of  the  hnes  at  Apremont  our  own  platoon 
had  been  caught  in  the  open  without  cover  and 
subjected  to  a  fierce  barrage  from  enemy  artillery, 
machine  guns,  and  trench  mortars.  Our  own  fire 
was  almost  as  dangerous.  Machine  gun  bullets  in 
streams  buzzed  from  both  directions  just  above  our 
prostrate  forms  as  we  made  ourselves  as  unob- 
trusive as  possible;  shells  from  our  own  batteries 
were  bursting  just  ahead,  while  Fritz  dropped  his 


6  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

contributions  bounteously  all  around.  It  lasted  for 
about  two  hours.  When  it  was  over  each  man  be- 
lieved himself  the  only  one  alive,  but  as  daylight 
came  everybody  had  been  accounted  for.  Time 
after  time  the  whole  company  had  been  caught  out 
in  a  similar  manner  with  little  or  no  shelter,  pelted 
with  gas  of  all  varieties,  and  yet  we  had  not  left 
any  of  our  company  behind  us.  Doubtless  our  good 
fortune  would  continue  at  this  front.  This  was  the 
sort  of  philosophy  used  by  the  men  to  facilitate 
acceptance  of  the  inevitable. 

The  train  whirled  rapidly  along,  taking  us  into 
a  country  which  showed  plainly  by  the  wreckage 
left  behind,  the  high-tide  mark  of  the  first  waves 
of  the  invaders  under  Von  Kluck.  Meaux  was  like 
a  city  beset  with  the  plague.  Everything  was  or- 
derly and  beautiful,  even  the  gardens  looked  well 
cared  for,  curtains  were  drawn,  but  little  damage 
was  done;  yet  not  a  soul  stirred.  Within  the  car 
all  was  quiet.  The  long  ride  in  cramped  quarters 
without  possibility  of  sleep  or  a  good  meal  and  the 
reaction  after  our  disappointment  made  many  try 
once  more  to  accomplish  the  impossible  by  making 
themselves  really  comfortable. 

Late  that  night  we  piled  out  sleepily  at  Lizy  sur 
Ourcq.  Here  we  had  to  unload  ammunition  and 
rations  and  prepare  for  the  long  hike  up  to  the 
front.  A  little  after  midnight  we  started  off  on  what 
what  was  to  be  one  of  the  most  severe  ordeals  of 
our  experience.  I  had  read  of  men  falling  asleep 
while  making  a  forced  march,  but  I  could  not  quite 


LIEUT.   WILLIAM   B.   CORBETT 


COMMERCE   IN  THE   WAR  7 

see  how  it  could  be  done.  That  morning  after 
stumbling  blindly  along  an  endless,  reeling  road 
until  my  eyes  refused  to  remain  open,  I  had  my 
first  acquaintance  with  sleep-walking.  By  day- 
light our  road  had  brought  us  to  several  small 
towns  uninhabited  but  apparently  undamaged.  Dur- 
ing the  night  we  had  heard  no  firing  and  had  met 
with  none  of  the  characteristics  of  a  well-defended 
active  front.  At  last  we  came  to  a  small  collection 
of  houses  where  some  marines  were  moving  about, 
getting  mess.  A  httle  farther  on,  the  exhausted 
company  came  to  a  halt  near  a  small  wood  oppo- 
site a  chateau.  We  remained  here  a  few  days  and 
then  once  more,  joined  by  the  rest  of  the  battalion, 
resumed  our  march  to  the  front.  As  usual,  a  great 
deal  of  good-natured  bantering  took  place  between 
the  outfits.  After  a  fairly  short  hike  we  arrived 
at  our  new  quarters  in  the  woods  on  the  right  of 
the  Paris-Metz  road. 

We  were  on  historic  ground.  Near  here  in  451 
the  Huns  under  Attila  had  been  beaten  by  Theod- 
oric  in  the  first  battle  of  the  Marne.  After  them 
came  Spanish  and  English  invaders,  and  in  18 14 
Napoleon  defeated  the  Russo-Prussian  forces.  In 
June  19 1 8  American  troops  of  the  Second  Division 
had  been  rushed  in  trucks  from  Verdun  to  help 
stop  the  advance  of  the  modern  Huns.  They  took 
their  place  in  the  line  but  were  advised  by  the 
French  command  to  fall  back.  "Fall  back!"  said 
General  Bundy,  "  My  men  would  not  understand 
such  an  order.    We'll  fight!"    The  French  fell  back 


8  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

through  the  gaps  in  the  American  hnes.  Bundy 
was  left  alone  to  fight  it  out  without  artillery  in 
position  as  yet  to  support  him.  He  was  forced  to 
thin  out  his  hnes  to  cover  enough  of  his  front  to 
prevent  his  being  flanked.  Reserves?  He  had  none. 
What  happened  at  Belleau  Woods  is  now  well  known, 
although  credit  is  often  concentrated  entirely  upon 
one  branch  of  the  service.  The  casualties  among  the 
marines,  engineers,  and  infantry  were  in  some  com- 
panies sixty  per  cent  of  their  strength,  but  although 
terribly  weakened,  all  fought  with  such  unequalled 
valor  that  the  hne  was  not  only  held,  but  was  ac- 
tually advanced.  Such  was  the  state  of  aff"airs  when 
we  took  over  the  sector.  Our  first  duty  was  a  sad 
one.  Owing  to  the  nature  of  the  front  it  had  been 
almost  impossible  to  bury  the  vast  numbers  of  dead, 
but  now  the  conditions  were  so  unsanitary  that  the 
major  considered  it  expedient  to  send  one  company 
out  on  a  burying  party.  Every  marine  found  lay 
with  his  face  to  the  enemy,  and  almost  always 
surrounded  by  a  number  of  Boches  which  he  had 
accounted  for.  The  Americans  had  kept  their  trust. 
Now,  we  wondered,  what  was  the  next  chapter  in 
the   history   of  Chateau-Thierry   going  to   be? 

Our  quarters  in  the  Bois  de  Gros  Jean  were  rustic 
in  the  extreme.  Security  depended  upon  our  avoid- 
ing detection.  No  one  was  allowed  to  leave  the 
woods  in  dayhght  or  even  to  strike  a  fight  at  night. 
When  we  first  arrived,  the  quarters  provided  for 
us  were  nothing  but  shallow  holes  and  some  im- 
provised   dugouts.      Immediately    ambitious    archi- 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  9 

tects  set  about  making  improvements.  The  shelf 
slits  were  deepened,  built  up  by  sand  bags,  and 
covered  or  protected  in  other  ways  to  the  extent 
necessary  to  insure  comfort  and  peace  of  mind  to 
the  individual  occupant.  Apparently  there  was  a 
variety  of  standards.  Some  industrious  and  cau- 
tious fellows  dug  themselves  in  so  securely  that 
their  positions  might  well  have  endured  a  bombard- 
ment. My  companion,  another  sergeant  of  the  same 
platoon,  and  I  decided  that  fresh  air  and  comfort 
should  be  the  principle  upon  which  our  P.C.  was 
going  to  be  constructed.  We  found  a  place  in  a 
highly  desirable  neighborhood  inhabited  by  most  of 
the  other  members  of  our  platoon.  It  had  a  slight 
covering  of  straw,  some  empty  sand  bags,  and  a 
small  hole  near  by,  which  we  cleaned  of  cans  and 
debris,  to  be  used  in  case  of  fire.  We  collected  all 
the  straw  carefully,  loosened  and  leveled  the  ground 
beneath,  put  down  the  straw  where  it  would  do  the 
most  good,  and  covered  it  with  a  burlap  mattress 
of  empty  sand  bags  sewn  together  with  string. 
Then  we  united  our  shelter  halves  and  erected  upon 
this  luxurious  foundation  a  pup-tent  supported  by  a 
tent  pole  in  the  rear  and  by  a  sapling  in  front. 
Our  bed  clothing  consisted  of  one  thin  blanket 
apiece,  and  although  it  was  July  and  the  days  were 
hot,  we  felt  the  cold  keenly  at  night.  We  dug  a 
drainage  ditch  around  the  tent  to  prevent  the  rain 
from  coming  in  through  the  sides,  and  furnished 
our  yard  with  a  rustic  bench  and  table  made  from 
sapling  boughs  lashed  together  with  wire.  Thus 
equipped,  our  home  now  was  quite  comfortable. 


10  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Work  was  to  be  done.  There  were  no  real 
trenches  here,  no  support  positions,  no  secondary 
defences,  and  almost  no  wire.  What  a  contrast  to 
the  Toul  front!  Our  battalion  was  now  attached  to 
the  51st  Brigade  and  was  instructed  to  strengthen 
our  position.  One  night,  just  at  dark,  we  left 
our  woods  and  moved  'cross  country  towards  the 
front.  We  passed  batteries  in  the  woods,  so  skil- 
fully concealed  that  only  the  flash  when  firing  dis- 
closed their  whereabouts  to  us.  Shell  holes,  fresh 
ones,  too,  spotted  our  path.  Leaving  the  path  we 
entered  the  Ravine  Gobert,  a  winding  boyau  which 
was  rightly  nicknamed  "Death  Valley."  The  ra- 
vine was  irregular,  rocky,  full  of  projecting  roots 
and  snags;  progress  in  it  in  utter  darkness,  laden 
down  as  we  were  with  equipment,  was  nothing 
but  a  succession  of  bumps.  You  came  to  a  curve 
you  could  not  see,  struck  the  opposite  wall,  groped 
around  for  the  opening,  bumped  into  the  man 
ahead,  who  had  stopped,  and  were  bumped  into  by 
the  man  behind,  who  had  not.  It  is  a  rule  of  some 
unknown  force  that  no  matter  how  slowly  the  head 
of  a  company  may  go,  the  rear  end  must  always 
race  to  keep  up.  The  man  leading  the  company  had 
to  stop  frequently  to  get  his  bearings,  so  the  pro- 
cession became  a  series  of  sudden  and  violent  halts 
followed  by  frantic  dashes  on  the  part  of  the  end 
of  the  company.  We  passed  by  a  dressing  station, 
got  jammed  up  in  a  narrow  space,  and  did  not  know 
which  way  to  turn.  An  excited  medical  orderly 
called  out  that  that  was  one  of  the  most  unhealthy 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  ii 

spots  around,  as  it  was  shelled  every  few  minutes. 
We  had  just  moved  on  when  we  heard  several  shells 
come  over  after  that  dressing  station.  The  gloomy, 
broken  outhne  of  a  deserted  town  rose  up  before 
us.  It  was  Lucy  le  Bocage,  a  target  for  the  German 
gunners,  and  a  place  to  be  avoided.  Just  beyond 
the  town  we  found  our  position.  The  whole  trench 
system  had  been  traced  out,  the  fire-bays  dug  to 
a  depth  of  two  or  three  feet  and  covered  with  straw 
so  that  they  would  not  show  on  photographs  taken 
from  airplanes.  The  men  were  put  in  position 
and  the  traverses  were  dug  connectmg  the  fire-bays 
so  as  to  make  it  a  continuous  system.  A  heavy 
fire  passed  just  over  our  heads  into  Lucy  but  our 
position  was  not  molested.  The  work  was  not 
finished  that  night,  so  it  was  necessary  for  us  to 
return  the  following  night. 

The  new  work  was  promptly  detected  by  the 
German  observers,  who  had  the  artillery  register 
on  it.  We  had  just  got  the  men  placed  and  started 
to  work.  Lucy  was  again  receiving  attentions  from 
Fritz,  and  I  was  walking  around  in  back  of  the 
trench  looking  things  over  when  I  heard  a  sharp 
report  of  a  German  gun  that  was  not  pointed  at 
Lucy.  Much  practice  diving  into  the  Park  Street 
subway  enabled  me  to  get  under  cover  as  a  155  hit 
that  particular  part  of  the  ground  just  outside 
the  trench  where  I  had  been  standing.  It  hit  soft 
earth  and  failed  to  explode.  The  next  one  was  even 
closer,  but  was  Hkewise  a  "dud."  The  third  was  a 
perfect  specimen  of  hate,  however,  which  exploded 


12  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

perfectly,  showering  us  with  dirt  and  fragments.  On 
they  came,  so  close  that  it  seemed  they  must  hit 
someone;  but  when  the  firing  stopped,  no  damage 
had  been  done  except  to  the  trench.  We  got  the 
order  to  move  out  and  work  somewhere  else  where 
no  labor  trouble  was  expected.  On  the  way  out, 
after  ascertaining  that  no  harm  had  been  done,  I 
jumped  into  the  trench  again  ahead  of  the  platoon. 
I  turned  the  corner  of  a  traverse,  kicked  some  big 
hard  object  lying  in  the  bottom  of  the  trench  and 
fell  flat.  Picking  oneself  up  after  such  a  mishap 
is  not  an  easy  task  when  laden  down  with  a  rifle, 
1 60  rounds  of  ammunition,  and  a  pick  and  shovel, 
so  I  had  occasion  to  address  some  remarks  to  the 
object  which  had  caused  my  fall.  Investigation 
showed  that  it  was  a  huge  "dud"  that  had  struck 
the  parapet  and  fallen  right  into  the  trench.  I 
tip-toed  around  the  corner  and  warned  the  man 
behind  me,  who  promptly  fell  over  it,  made  almost 
the  same  remarks  I  did,  and  likewise  informed  the 
man  behind  him.  The  precedent  having  once  been 
established,  the  entire  platoon  was  unanimous  in 
adopting  this  method  of  procedure.  That  night 
passed,  happily  without  any  further  excitement,  so 
we  had  time  to  watch  the  front  for  a  few  moments 
while  leaning  on  our  picks  and  shovels.  It  seemed 
a  surprisingly  great  distance  away.  Flares  shot  up 
and  burst  into  a  blaze  of  light  which  showed  the 
scarred  landscape.  An  occasional  machine  gun 
sputtered,  trench  mortars  rumbled  distantly,  and 
the  batteries  took  turns  in  exchanging  compliments 
with  one  another.     It  was  quiet,  suspiciously  quiet. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  13 

The  next  night  the  work  was  similarly  outlined, 
but  our  good  fortune  had  left  us.  Such  luck  as 
had  been  ours  could  not  continue.  While  in  the 
ravine,  just  as  we  were  getting  our  tools,  we  were 
fired  upon.  Our  platoon  was  hit,  the  platoon  ser- 
geant, the  senior  corporal,  and  several  other  fine 
fellows  were  killed,  and  a  few  more  wounded.  Night 
after  night  we  met  with  Hke  misfortune.  The  tents 
in  the  woods  were  thinning  out.  It  was  a  pitifully 
small  platoon  that  fell  in  at  dark  to  have  identi- 
fication tags  and  gas  masks  inspected  prior  to  going 
out.  Casualties  did  not  seem  to  have  any  effect 
upon  the  morale,  however.  It  was  not  the  hardships 
(we  got  one  hot  meal  at  noon,  coffee  when  we  came 
in  at  dayhght,  and  one  canteen  of  water  a  day), 
nor  the  danger,  although  we  were  losing  men  every 
night,  but  the  fact  that  we  couldn't  do  anything 
about  it  that  bothered  the  men.  We  wanted  a 
chance  to  furnish  some  of  the  fireworks  ourselves. 

Imagine,  then,  our  dehght  when  on  the  night 
of  the  15th  we  received  word  that  Fritz  was  coming 
over  and  we  were  going  to  hold  a  position  in  reserve. 
We  took  down  our  tents  cheerfully  and  rolled  our 
packs.  The  very  air  seemed  charged  with  expec- 
tant excitement.  Wagons,  trucks,  and  caissons 
filled  the  road  while  we  were  waiting  for  the  cover  of 
darkness.  At  last  we  started  off.  Shrapnel  was 
bursting  in  the  air  ahead,  while  towards  the  front 
we  could  see  flares  shooting  up  nervously  and  fights 
for  the  guidance  of  air  craft  were  cfimbing  up, 
going  out,  unfike  the  flares,  at  their  greatest  height 


14  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

from  the  ground.  Heavy  shelling  had  been  going 
on,  high  explosives  mixed  generously  with  gas. 
The  wet  grain  was  reeking  with  the  offensive  fumes 
of  mustard  gas.  We  passed  along  the  path  in  single 
file  towards  our  position.  Suddenly  there  came 
from  ahead  the  cry  of  "Gas!"  I  turned  round, 
shouted  back  the  warning  to  the  next  platoon, 
knocked  off  my  helmet,  slipped  my  rifle-sHng  more 
securely  over  my  shoulder,  fished  out  my  mask,  and 
wormed  into  it.  Now  if  I  could  find  my  helmet 
—  where  the  deuce  had  the  blamed  thing  rolled  to? 
I  felt  around  on  my  hands  and  knees,  but  I  could 
not  find  it.  There  was  only  one  thing  to  do,  so 
I  pulled  off  my  mask,  took  a  good  whiff  of  air  which 
was  sHghtly  tainted  by  gas,  and  recovered  my 
helmet.  As  the  gas  was  only  shght  we  removed 
the  face-piece  of  the  mask  and  breathed  through  the 
mouthpiece,  thus  making  it  easier  to  see  where  we 
were  going.  Our  position  was  just  off  the  Ravine 
Gobert,  already  traced  out  with  tape  and  with  the 
sod  removed  in  places.  Picks  and  shovels  were  to 
be  brought  up  to  us  over  the  road,  but  the  tool- 
wagon  had  been  either  blown  up  or  otherwise  de- 
layed, so  we  had  to  send  back  for  tools  and  in  the 
meantime  we  started  to  dig  ourselves  in  with  our 
bayonets  and  mess  kit  covers.  The  men  had  just 
been  placed,  and  I  was  going  over  the  line,  making 
more  or  less  humorous  remarks  reminiscent  of  days 
spent  digging  in  the  sand  at  Nantasket,  when  the 
situation  suddenly  became  no  joking  matter.  All 
along  the  ravine  came  the  sounds  of  heavy  shells 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  15 

exploding,  the  sharp  reports  of  bursting  gas  shells, 
and  a  nasty,  snapping  bark  of  a  small  calibre  shell 
of  high  velocity.  The  fire  was  getting  closer;  they 
were  following  up  the  ravine.  We  started  now  to 
dig  in  real  earnest  and  made  the  dirt  fly  even  with 
nothing  more  than  a  bayonet  and  our  bare  hands. 
Now  the  shells  were  landing  right  among  us.  I 
had  no  place  to  get  into  but  I  contrived  to  squeeze  in 
front  of  one  of  the  fellows  and  Hke  an  ostrich,  leav- 
ing my  body  fully  exposed,  I  endeavored  to  throw 
up  a  bit  of  protection  in  front  of  my  head.  The 
position  was  so  badly  exposed  that  we  were  unable 
to  cross  over  to  the  other  side  of  the  ravine  without 
passing  right  through  the  thick  of  the  shelling; 
we  could  not  draw  back  because  they  were  firing 
on  the  batteries  just  behind  us,  and  the  shells  were 
dropping  right  among  us.  Nantasket  was  never 
like  this.  Shells  were  dropping  so  close  that  their 
flame  was  almost  blinding  when  they  burst,  and 
fragments  thudded  into  the  ground  beside  me. 
Every  few  moments,  after  an  especially  close  one, 
my  neighbor  would  politely  inquire  as  to  the  state 
of  my  health.  After  a  while  it  seemed  as  if  his 
solicitude  changed  to  disappointment  after  repeated 
assurances  that  I  was  all  right.  Things  were  not  all 
right  just  across  the  shallow  traverse.  The  last 
shell  had  burst  right  inside  the  httle  trench.  Before 
the  flash  of  its  explosion  had  faded  away,  a  dark 
form  rose  from  the  ground  and  fell  prostrate.  I 
was  reluctant  about  exposing  myself  at  first,  so  I 
merely   called   over,   asking   if  everything  were   all 


i6  THE  HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

right.  The  answer  came  "No!  Somebody's  hit." 
Jumping  up,  I  found  that  about  a  dozen  fellows 
hearing  that  answer  had  run  over  to  offer  aid.  The 
men  were  in  the  next  platoon,  however,  whose  ser- 
gent  assisted  by  volunteers  succeeded  in  getting 
them  to  a  dressing  station,  but  unfortunately  too 
late.  The  gas  was  now  terribly  thick  and  the  shell- 
ing had  become  a  continuous  bombardment.  After 
some  time,  when  it  seemed  as  if  we  could  stand  it 
no  longer,  one  of  the  men  discovered  that  the  other 
platoons  had  withdrawn  and  we  were  alone.  The 
casualties  had  occured  just  to  our  left  and  the  pla- 
toon on  our  right  had  been  sent  off  for  picks  and 
shovels.  An  order  could  not  have  been  heard  un- 
less relayed.  It  was  up  to  me  to  suggest  something. 
I  passed  the  word  along  to  cross  the  ravine  and  meet 
in  the  wheat  field  on  the  enemy  side  and  started 
off.  A  shell  came  over  —  everybody  "hit  the  dirt" 
quick  but  was  off  again.  By  a  series  of  short  rushes 
we  gained  a  place  of  safety  and  rounded  up  most  of 
the  men.  The  use  of  the  gas  signified  that  the  attack 
was  not  going  to  be  made  through  our  position, 
so  we  had  nothing  to  do  but  collect  our  equipment 
and  go  back  to  the  woods. 

The  affair  had  been  a  disastrous  failure.  Instead 
of  getting  a  chance  to  fight  the  Boches,  it  was  the 
same  old  story,  —  more  casualties  without  even  a 
possibility  of  firing  a  shot  in  return.  The  next  day 
was  spent  in  airing  blankets  and  equipment  which 
had  been  saturated  with  gas.  That  night  we  did 
some  easy  work  over  on  General  Cole's  headquarters. 


LIEUT.    FRANK   P.    KELLEY 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  17 

In  the  morning  I  heard  myself  being  paged  by  the 
first  sergeant.  He  told  me  to  go  over  and  see  the 
captain  with  the  other  sergeant.  I  dressed  hastily, 
called  my  bunkie,  who  refused  to  get  up  and  in 
disgust  turned  to  go,  leaving  him  still  "in  bed." 
However,  as  soon  as  I  started,  I  found  him  at  my 
side   in   an   equal   degree   of  attire. 

The  captain  was  the  only  one  present  who 
looked  at  all  respectable,  and  he  beamed  a  cheery 
"good-morning"  to  us  as  we  drew  up  to  his  table 
around  a  big  map.  There  were  six  dirty,  unshaven, 
sleepy,  red-eyed  sergeants,  "the  top,"  and  the  cap- 
tain present.  He  told  us  that  the  company  had 
been  called  upon  to  furnish  a  detail  of  two  second 
lieutenants,  six  sergeants,  twelve  corporals,  and  fifty 
men.  We  got  out  our  lists  and  tried  to  scrape  up 
out  of  a  company  that  had  left  home  250  strong, 
fifty  men  fit  for  duty  and  we  could  not  get  them. 
Our  platoon  had  only  two  sergeants,  no  corporals, 
and  about  a  dozen  men.  After  the  Hsts  had  been 
made  out,  we  notified  the  efigibles  and  were  im- 
mediately the  center  of  a  fusilade  of  questions. 
Yes,  it  looked  Hke  the  real  thing  this  time.  The 
demohtion  men  were  put  to  work  making  up  thirty 
pound  bombs  of  TNT.  Everything  pointed  to 
a  raid. 

That  night  we  had  the  heaviest  rain  and  elec- 
trical storm  I  have  ever  seen.  About  nine  o'clock, 
with  our  bombs  and  220  rounds  of  ammunition, 
wire  cutters,  and  fight  packs  with  full  emergency 
rations,   we  piled  into  waiting  trucks.     It  was  so 


i8  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

dark  it  was  almost  impossible  to  see  the  road.  A 
man  with  a  luminous  wrist  watch  stayed  at  the 
back  of  our  truck,  so  that  the  driver  of  the  truck 
behind  could  see  when  we  stopped.  It  was  a  wild 
ride  over  the  road,  and  everybody  felt  relieved  when 
we  finally  came  to  a  halt  and  piled  out.  We  formed 
on  the  road  in  single  file,  each  keeping  a  hand  on 
the  pack  of  the  man  in  front  so  as  to  keep  together 
in  the  dark.  A  coil  of  emergency  wire,  reaching 
from  a  man's  shoulder  to  his  ankles,  was  given  to 
every  man  who  was  not  carrying  a  bomb.  As  we 
started  the  march,  many  speculations  were  made  as 
to  the  nature  of  our  project.  I  was  appealed  to  for 
my  opinion  and  said  that  I  thought  we  were  going 
up  to  the  lines,  and  that  after  a  few  drills  in  the 
woods,  we  might  stage  a  raid.  The  lieutenant,  who 
was  just  behind  me,  told  me  quietly  that  such  was 
not  the  case,  but  we  were  going  to  make  an  attack, 
and  told  me  the  time  zero  was  and  our  objective. 
Now  I  had  something  pleasant  to  think  about. 
We  hiked  wearily  over  the  road  and  came  to  the 
woods  where  the  other  company  left  us  after  wishing 
each  other  the  best  of  luck.  After  a  while  we  dis- 
covered that  we  were  almost  lost  and  the  other 
Heutenant,  who  was  leading  the  company,  set  off  in 
search  of  a  guide  or  runner.  We  threw  ourselves 
wearily  on  the  ground  and  waited.  Other  troops 
were  coming  up  now,  and  it  was  obvious  that  we 
were  going  over.  At  last  the  lieutenant  returned 
with  a  runner  and  we  set  off  for  the  lines  again. 
We  passed  along  through  woods  with  slippery  foot- 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  19 

ing  until  we  came  to  a  slight  clearing  where  there 
were  some  small  dugouts.  Just  beyond  was  the 
front  line.  It  was  almost  daylight,  the  barbed  wire 
stood  out  grim  and  somber  against  the  gray  mist  of 
dawn,  the  air  was  stiff  and  heavy  with  the  taint  of 
human  carrion.  I  looked  at  my  watch.  Just  3:30. 
In  five  more  minutes  —  !  We  got  the  order  to  move 
forward  and  form  in  the  valley  just  below,  where  we 
loaded  our  rifles,  fixed  bayonets,  and  waited  while 
the  first  sanguine  rays  of  light  crept  over  the  hill 
beyond. 

Suddenly  the  hills  behind  us  opened  up  with 
a  leaden  interference  that  was  to  open  up  a  hole 
in  the  German  line  for  us  to  slip  through.  As  that 
rain  of  metal  left  our  batteries  we  too  started  over. 
The  air  was  filled  with  things  that  whined  and 
buzzed.  Beyond,  in  the  mist  we  could  see  the 
smoke  of  the  bursting  shells  from  our  artillery  and 
the  stark  outline  of  a  ruined  village  held  by  the  Ger- 
mans. We  were  the  extreme  left  of  the  first  wave. 
On  our  right  we  could  see  the  lines  of  olive  drab 
advancing  as  orderly  as  if  on  a  drill  field.  Enemy 
batteries  had  opened  up  but  our  own  artillery  soon 
silenced  the  most  bothersome.  The  German  ma- 
chine gunners  were  active  if  not  accurate.  Solid 
streams  of  lead  droned  overhead  like  swarms  of 
bees.  A  high  ridge  was  just  ahead,  beyond  which 
was  a  short  open  space  which  seemed  to  be  pretty 
well  covered  by  machine  gun  fire.  We  bent  low 
and  sprinted  for  it.  The  fellow  in  back  of  me  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  head.     We  were  now  right 


20  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

down  upon  the  first  Boche  outposts  and  patrols. 
These  were  promptly  desposed  of  and  surrendered 
eagerly.  Among  the  first  prisoners  was  a  Red  Cross 
man  who  fixed  up  the  wounded  man's  head  so  skil- 
fully that  he  finally  recovered.  The  ground  we 
were  crossing  was  an  open  wheat  field  with  the  grain 
almost  waist  high.  All  around  us,  frightened  figures 
in  field  gray  sprang  from  the  ground,  threw  away 
the  rifles  with  which  they  had  just  been  shooting 
at  us,  and  signified  surrender  in  the  approved  German 
manner.  There  was  only  a  Httle  wire  to  be  crossed 
and  that  gave  us  no  bother.  The  method  of  advance 
was  to  follow  up  our  barrage  in  columns  of  single 
file  which  stopped  and  deployed  when  united  re- 
sistance was  expected.  Several  times  we  halted  and 
started  to  dig  ourselves  in,  expecting  determined 
opposition,  but  each  time  we  pushed  steadily  on 
again.  At  last  our  men  were  in  contact  with 
the  town.  Strong  obstacles  and  chevaux-de-frise 
had  been  provided  by  the  enemy,  but  they  had  no 
time  to  secure  them  in  position;  so  our  entrance, 
while  cautious,  was  not  strongly  disputed.  We 
explored  the  streets  and  searched  the  buildings  for 
opposing  Boches  but  we  found  most  of  them  anxious 
to  surrender.  In  no  time  the  httle  square  was 
filled  with  prisoners  and  captured  weapons.  The 
buildings  showed  that  their  German  occupants  had 
withdrawn  in  a  hurry,  leaving  mess  on  the  table 
untasted.  Most  of  the  houses  were  tumble-down 
ruins,  but  the  church  was  the  worst  of  all.  It  was 
absolutely  pulverized.  By  this  time  we  had  reached 
our  objective. 


GORDON  DENTON 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  21 

The  German  fire  was  now  increasing  propor- 
tionately as  ours  was  decreasing.  With  my  bunkie 
I  took  up  a  post  in  a  huge  shell  hole,  with  water 
at  the  bottom,  that  was  in  the  very  farthest  part 
of  our  hne.  A  sniper  with  an  automatic  rifle  took 
hberties  with  my  back  when  I  left  the  shell  hole 
to  get  some  barbed  wire  at  the  order  of  a  heutenant. 
Our  job  was  to  put  up  wire  across  an  open  road 
near  our  shell  hole,  which,  with  four  other  men,  we 
succeeded  in  doing  in  spite  of  the  snipers.  After 
that  the  httle  group  went  back  to  the  square  to 
await  the  return  of  the  officer.  Several  prisoners 
were  massed  here,  with  only  one  guard  over  them, 
waiting  to  go  back  to  the  rear.  There  were  plenty 
of  rifles  lying  there,  but  the  Germans  had  no  thought 
of  further  opposition.  The  prisoners  and  their  lone 
guard  moved  off".  Airplanes  were  flying  in  great 
numbers  overhead,  giving  splendid  cooperation  to 
both   infantry  and   artillery. 

It  was  now  broad  daylight,  and  we  were  glad  of 
this  chance  to  rest.  We  leaned  back  against  the 
wall  and  got  ready  to  wait,  when  our  peace  of  mind 
was  disturbed  by  a  vicious  report  right  over  the 
square.  It  was  only  a  smoke  bomb,  to  give  range 
to  the  artillery,  but  it  was  bound  to  be  followed  by 
high  explosives.  Wounded  men  were  passing  through 
looking  for  a  dressing  station,  some  dazed  and  bleed- 
ing, others  were  carried  or  supported  by  comrades 
who  were  only  shghtly  wounded.  There  was  an- 
other rush  of  air  and  another  shell  burst  over- 
head.   More  came,  and  so  close  that  the  fragments 


22  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

passed  between  the  man  next  to  me  and  the  wall. 
It  was  time  to  move.  We  had  just  left  our  position 
when  the  wall  was  hit  directly.  Again  we  were 
forced  to  move,  and  again  we  moved  just  in  time. 
We  later,  having  no  more  work  to  do,  took  shelter 
in  an  old  cellar.  It  was  now  noon,  and  we  were 
hungry,  thirsty,  and  very  tired  and  sleepy.  The 
cellar  was  on  the  enemy  side  of  the  line  taken  up 
by  our  infantry  just  outside  the  town.  All  day 
a  terrific  fire  was  kept  up  by  the  German  batteries. 
We  tried  to  get  a  Httle  rest  before  they  could 
make  a  counter  attack.  Others  joined  us  and  soon 
our  little  shelter  was  full.  The  heavy  fire  on  the 
open  lines  behind  the  town  was  discouragingly  effec- 
tive. In  the  early  evening  we  heard  distant  machine 
gun  firing  and  saw  on  the  left  the  gallant  advance 
of  our  French  allies.  A  counter  attack  was  now 
impossible.  The  victory  had  been  won;  as  decisive 
was  this  last  battle  of  Chateau-Thierry  as  had  been 
the  first.  The  Yankee  Division  had  lived  up  to  the 
glorious  tradition  of  Theodoric,  Napoleon,  and  Bundy 
even  if  it  did  not  parade  in  Paris. 


SUBTERRANEAN    FLAPJACKS 


SUBTERRANEAN   FLAPJACKS 

JOHN    HAYES, 'i6 
loist  Injantry 

WHILE  Stationed  in  the  Toul  sector  on  ob- 
servation duty  we  occasionally  made  flap- 
jacks, partly  to  pass  the  time  away,  but 
mainly  to  enjoy  eating  them.  We  were  only  on 
duty  during  the  day,  so  that  there  wasn't  much 
for  us  to  do  at  night.  At  this  time  there  were 
only  four  of  us  in  one  dugout.  We  had  an  ingen- 
ious contrivance  in  the  dugout;  somebody  called 
it  a  stove.  The  main  body  was  made  from  an  old 
petrol  can  with  a  hole  cut  in  top  to  put  the  wood 
in,  and  another  in  the  front  near  the  bottom  to 
remove  the  ashes  from.  This  was  set  on  a  couple  of 
stones  to  protect  the  floor.  An  unnecessary  pre- 
caution, however.  The  floor  was  watersoaked  and 
we  had  to  pump  the  water  out  of  the  dugout  to 
keep  from  floating  out.  For  a  chimney  we  used  a 
number  of  empty  Karo  cans  with  the  ends  removed. 
These  were  fitted  over  each  other  and  extended  out 
into  the  trench  where  they  were  camouflaged. 
Wood  was  procured  either  from  the  cook  shack  or 
some  old  abandoned  dugout.  Of  course  the  stove 
could  be  used  only   at   night   because   Jerry   would 

25 


26  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

spot  us  if  it  were  used  in  the  day  time  and  probably 
make  it  hot  enough  for  us  without  a  fire. 

In  order  to  make  flapjacks  we  first  had  to  beg, 
borrow,  or  steal  some  flour,  sugar,  and  baking  pow- 
der from  the  cook  shacks.  These  ingredients  with 
a  little  salt  were  mixed  in  an  old  can;  cold  coffee 
instead  of  water  answered  our  purpose,  for  none 
of  us  felt  like  walking  a  couple  of  miles  to  get  any 
water  fit  to  drink.  The  cover  of  a  mess  kit  with 
a  pair  of  pHers  for  a  handle  was  our  spider.  We 
often  used  bacon  rinds  or  lard  and  sometimes  when 
more  fortunate  we  used  oleo,  otherwise  known  as 
grease,  to  fry  the   batter  in. 

One  night  while  frying  a  batter  of  this  mixture 
the  gas  alarm  was  sounded,  and  we  had  to  put  our 
masks  on.  After  putting  on  his  mask  the  corporal 
continued  frying  the  cakes.  The  grease  caught 
fire  and  it  was  funny  to  see  him  trying  to  blow  it 
out.  An  impossibility  with  an  English  gas  mask  on, 
as  anyone  knows  who  ever  saw  one  or  had  one  on. 
In  conclusion  I'll  say  that  these  pancakes  tasted 
better  than  any  that  Child's  chefs  turn  out. 


NAVAL  CAMP   EXPERIENCES 


NAVAL  CAMP   EXPERIENCES 

C.   GORDON    MACKAY,  '15 

JULY  2,  19 1 8  found  about  250  civilians,   myself 
included,  shuffling  along  in  the  dust  and  tramp- 
ing down  a   long  winding   road   of   Hingham, 
Mass.,   to   one   of  Josephus   Daniels'    navy   camps 

—  the  United  States  Training  Camp  at  Hingham 

—  there   to   learn   the   dehcate   art  of  how  to   be- 
come a  "gob." 

Upon  arriving  in  camp,  we  were  sent  to  the 
"small  stores,"  at  which  place  we  were  given  a 
large  snowy-white  sea-bag,  which,  at  the  first  glance, 
gave  one  the  impression  it  would  hold  nearly  every- 
thing in  the  whole  camp.  However,  after  I  had 
shoved  into  it  everything  from  soap  to  blankets, 
the   bag   was   soon   full   and   overflowing. 

Arriving  at  our  assigned  barracks,  we  "set  to" 
trying  on  each  and  every  piece  of  wearing  apparel; 
and,  between  "swapping"  with  this  mate  and  that, 
and  exchanging  the  balance  of  misfits  at  the  "smafl 
stores,"  we  soon  began  to  look  ship-shape  on  our 
first  day.  "Civics"  were  either  tied  up  in  bundles 
and  sent  home,  or  else  thrown  away.  The  next 
day  found  us  stenciling  every  piece  of  clothing  and 
afl  supphes  capable  of  having   our   name   stamped 

29 


30  THE  HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

on  it.  Black  paint  was  used  for  white  articles,  and 
white  paint  for  black.  Socks,  shoe  brushes,  and  even 
handkerchiefs  were  not  immune  from  this  attack. 

Scarcely  had  we  arrived  at  the  barracks  when  we 
were  given  the  various  parts  and  pieces  of  our  new 
"bunk"  —  the  swinging  hammock.  With  the  aid 
of  some  of  the  "old  timers"  with  three  or  four 
"hitches,"  we  soon  had  our  hammocks  tied  up  and 
lashed  properly  with  the  famous  seven  winds,  a 
feat  which  we  found  rather  difficult  at  first,  owing 
to  the  newness  of  the  rope.  Even  six  times  around 
the  hammock  seemed  almost  an  impossible  task  for 
us   "landlubbers"   on  our  first  few  attempts. 

"Chows,"  while  they  could  scarcely  be  compared 
with  "what  Ma  used  to  make"  or  with  a  la  Waldorf, 
were  —  in  the  judgment  of  the  majority  of  the 
fellows  —  quite  passable  during  our  sojourn  in  camp. 
To  be  sure,  there  was  not  any  too  large  a  variety  of 
food  during  a  single  meal.  However,  what  we  did 
receive  was  wholesome,  clean,  and  plentiful,  i.e.,  if 
you  saw  to  it  that  you  were  "in  the  swim."  This 
meant  that  every  "gob"  had  to  see  that  he  got  ail 
(ye-ah,  and  perhaps  even  more)  that  was  allotted 
to  him.  One  favorite  plan  of  the  "wiseacres" 
was  to  keep  walking  down  the  aisle  of  tables,  and 
upon  arriving  at  a  heaping  plate  of  food,  "squat." 
Although  we  saw  neither  milk  nor  sugar  on  the 
table,  we  soon  became  used  to  its  scarcity,  coming 
in  for  "chow"  after  a  rather  hard  and  tiresome 
day's  work.  We  were  then  glad  to  get  almost  any- 
thing at  all.     Many  were  the  men  who  wondered 


WILLIAM   HESFORD 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  31 

how  they  were  going  to  eat  porridge  in  the  morning 
without  milk  or  sugar,  but  after  a  stiff  set  of  Swedish 
exerises,  they  were  only  too  glad  to  eat  the  menu 
for  the  first  "chow"  of  the  day. 

Sleeping  in  our  "bunks"  was  a  new  and  rather 
interesting  experience,  especially  so  the  first  night. 
One  arrived  in  his  hammock  via  the  beam  method, 
which  consisted  in  puIHng  oneself  up  after  catching 
hold  of  one  of  the  long  beams  running  widthwise  of 
the  barracks,  and  then  dropping  in  —  or  out,  if  one 
were  that  fortunate.  It  was  in  this  feat  that  the 
six-foot-two  had  the  advantage  over  his  smaller  mate 
who  had  to  climb  into  his  hammock  with  the  aid  of 
the  window  sill  —  ye-ah,  that's  the  way  I  did  it. 

The  first  night  found  us  "piping  down"  at  9:30 
o'clock,  scarcely  venturing  to  move  an  inch,  fearing 
that  such  a  move  would  end  in  going  overboard 
and  landing  on  the  deck  six  feet  below.  As  a  matter 
of  fact,  one  man  did  find  out,  much  to  his  sorrow,  that 
the  floor  was  not  the  softest  spot  he  could  possibly 
strike.  It  might  be  added,  too,  that,  before  turning 
in  for  the  night,  it  was  to  the  advantage  of  each 
man  to  see  that  his  hammock  swung  as  evenly  as 
he  was  able  to  make  it  swing.  However,  after  two 
or  three  nights'  experience,  practically  every  man 
felt  quite  at  home  in  his  new  bunk,  one  fellow  even 
venturing  to  state  that  sleeping  on  a  picket  fence 
would  not  be  such  a  difficult  task.  At  5:30  a.m.  we 
were  awakened  by  the  bugler  blowing  reveille. 
'Twas  then  we  made  the  seven  winds,  and  stowed 
our  hammocks  overhead. 


32  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Our  first  duty,  after  dressing,  was  to  clean  the 
barracks  inside  and  out.  After  this,  followed  "swab- 
bing down  the  decks,"  each  man  having  a  certain 
portion   to  do. 

Scrubbing  our  own  clothes  proved  to  be  one  of 
the  most  difficult  jobs.  Then  we  learned  just  why 
the  "ki-i"  brush  was  given  to  us  on  our  arrival 
the  first  day.  Scrubbing  the  dirt  out  of  our  sea-bags 
and  hammocks,  and  pounding,  squeezing,  and  rub- 
bing the  coal  dust  out  of  a  formerly  snowy  white 
suit  of  "whites,"  after  spending  five  days  coaling 
ship,  soon  made  us  experienced  and  efficient  help 
for  Lewandos  or  any  other  home  laundry. 

"Mess  striking,"  although  it  enables  a  man  to 
get  the  cream  of  the  "chow"  during  his  time  as  a 
mess  striker,  was  not  the  most  enviable  work  a 
man  could  wish  for.  For,  between  clearing  and 
cleaning  the  dishes,  peeHng  "spuds,"  and  assisting 
in  the  preparation  of  the  food,  every  man  was  feel- 
ing and  looking  quite  greasy  in  no  time  —  which 
meant  more  scrubbing  the   next  day. 

Shaving  with  cold  water  was  also  enjoyed  by 
all  —  ye-ah,  just  like  the  innoculations. 

Every  man  stood  guard  at  least  one  day  and 
night  during  his  stay  in  camp.  He  went  on  at 
ten  o'clock  one  morning,  and  remained  on  duty 
until  the  same  time  the  next  day,  doing  "four  on" 
and  "four  off"  as  a  rule.  Provided  the  weather 
was  clear,  this  job  was  not  so  difficult  or  uninterest- 
ing, even  though  it  did  keep  one  up  during  a  great 
part  of  the   night. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  33 

The  clothes  line,  we  found,  had  certain  hours 
for  going  up  and  coming  down.  If  one  desired 
either  to  put  wet  clothes  on  the  line  or  to  take  dry 
things  off,  he  had  to  be  at  the  line  at  the  time  set 
for  it  to  go  up  or  come  down.  Some  sailors  found 
out,  much  to  their  misfortune,  that  dry  clothes 
could  not  remain  on  the  line  at  the  time  it  was  sched- 
uled to  go  up  again;  for  just  previous  to  that  time, 
the  master-at-arms  came  along,  feeling  for  all  dry 
cloths  still  hanging  on  the  Hne,  and  such  cloths 
were  confiscated  and  thrown  into  the  "lucky  bag." 
As  a  rule,  they  were  never  seen  by  the  owner  again. 

Before  leaving  camp  we  had  our  finger  prints 
taken  for  our  identification  tags,  which  were  often 
affectionately  called  "dog  collars"  or  "German  hunt- 
ing licenses. "  On  one  side  of  these  tags  was  the  finger- 
print of  the  right  index  finger.  On  the  reverse  side 
was  the  name  of  the  man,  the  date  of  his  birth,  the 
date  of  His  enlistment,  and  the  letters  U.S.N,  or 
U.S.N. R.F.,  according  to  the  branch  of  the  Navy 
in  which  the  man  was  serving. 

"Working  parties"  came  to  all  barracks  at  cer- 
tain intervals,  at  which  time  it  was  the  duty  of  the 
men  in  the  barracks  selected  to  do  all  the  necessary 
repair  and  miscellaneous  work  about  the  camp. 
Should  there  be  no  work  (which  rarely  happened)  the 
men  "higher  up"  had  the  humor  to  make  work  for 
us  in  the  "rock  pile."  Such  work  consisted  in  hav- 
ing the  men  get  shovels,  picks,  and  dump  carts, 
after  which  they  started  off  for  a  certain  section  of 
the  camp  where  a  pile  of  rocks,  many  in  number 


34  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

and  large  as  rocks  ordinarily  seen,  was  located. 
Then,  piling,  shoveling,  heaving,  and  shoving  these 
rocks  into  dump-carts,  we  drove  the  teams  of  horses 
to  the  other  end  of  the  camp,  where  the  rocks  were 
unloaded.  When  one  spot  became  clear,  the  same 
rocks  were  re-loaded  into  the  carts  and  carried  back 
to  their  original  resting  place.  Raking  the  parade 
grounds,  collecting  odd  stones  around  the  campus, 
and  leveling  off  the  corn  humps  on  the  drill  field 
constituted  more  profitable  varieties  of  labor. 

The  sewing  on  of  loose  buttons  gave  us  all  a 
bit  of  household  experience.  It  didn't  take  fac- 
tory-sewn buttons  very  long  to  come  off,  we  found, 
and  as  they  were  absolutely  necessary  for  inspection, 
as  few  of  these  as  possible  were  lost. 

With  the  possible  exception  of  the  last  five  days, 
which  were  spent  coaling  ship,  I  am  sure  that  all 
the  men  who  arrived  at  camp  during  the  month 
of  July,  19 1 8,  would  be  only  too  glad  to  do  the  whole 
thing  all  over  again,  just  for  a  summer's  vacation. 


THE  AIR  SERVICE  MECHANICS 
SCHOOL,   SAINT   PAUL,   MINN. 


THE  AIR  SERVICE  MECHANICS 
SCHOOL,   SAINT  PAUL,   MINN. 

H.    A.    PUBLICOVER 

2nd  Lieutenant,  U-  S.  Army  Air  Service 

THE  Air  Service  Mechanics  School  as  it  existed 
in  fact,  and  in  the  process  of  immediate  real- 
ization, at  the  time  of  the  signing  of  the  Armis- 
tice, was  a  natural  evolution  of  the  first  crude  efforts 
to  transform  the  artisan  of  industry  into  the  semi- 
scientist  —  the  airplane  mechanician. 

After  the  flush  of  excitement,  incidental  to  our 
entry  into  the  war,  we,  as  a  nation,  took  stock  of 
our  resources  and  our  needs  as  a  belligerent;  and, 
foremost  among  these  needs,  we  found  airplanes. 
While  other  nations  had  devoted  themselves  to  this 
branch,  we  had  puttered  along  with  a  few  nonde- 
script planes  which  made  occasional  flights  and 
disastrous  landings. 

Impulsively  we  seized  upon  this  fact,  and  count- 
less millions  made  available  and  backed  with  the  en- 
gineering brains  of  a  nation  were  rushed  into  the 
solution  of  this  problem.  Under  the  impulse  of  this 
mighty  force,  the  actual  production  of  airplanes  was 
soon  under  way.  Then  came  the  realization  that  the 
airplane  in  itself  was  useless  unless  backed  by  an  effi- 

37 


38  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

cient  comprehensive  body  of  mechanics  thoroughly 
competent  to  keep  in  constant  operation  the  vast 
fleet  of  planes  essential  to  success   in   battle. 

When  we  reached  this  point  in  our  preparations, 
the  unpleasant  truth  dawned  upon  us,  that  we  did 
not  have  such  a  body,  nor  any  plan  or  place  for 
training  this  essential  element  of  our  army.  A  hasty 
survey  was  made  and  any  man  whose  trade  test 
card  showed  any  former  mechanical  experience,  was 
rushed  off  to  a  trade  school  to  receive  a  brief  train- 
ing in  some  branch  essential  to  the  upkeep  of  the 
airplanes. 

The  next  experiment  was  to  send  these  embryo 
mechanics  to  a  flying  field  in  the  hope  that  they 
might  become  experts  thru  actual  experience  on  the 
planes  in  daily  use.  This  plan  had  its  disadvantages 
as  the  mistakes  of  the  willing  but  untutored  mechan- 
ics were  persistent  and  costly.  These  experiments 
clearly  pointed  to  the  need  of  highly  specialized  army 
trade  schools  wholly  devoted  to  airplane  upkeep. 

In  accordance  with  this  plan  a  detachment  of 
men  who  were  training  at  Dunwoody  Institute  at 
Minneapolis  were  moved  into  the  Overland  Building 
on  February  15,  19 18  to  form  the  nucleus  of  the  first 
and  foremost  Air  Service  School  under  Major 
W.  R.  Weaver,  former  executive  officer  of  Wilbur 
Wright   Field. 

Detachments  of  men  began  to  arrive  and  during 
the  month  of  March  the  strength  of  the  Post  grew  to 
several  thousands.  During  this  period  three  perma- 
nent squadrons,  864th,  871st  and  872nd  depot  repair 


RALPH   R.  McCORMACK 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  39 

squadrons  were  formed.  The  various  schools  were 
divided  among  the  squadrons;  864th  containing  all 
motor  transport  men;  the  men  in  miscellane- 
ous trades,  embracing  carpenters,  cabinet  makers, 
vulcanizers,  electricians,  coppersmiths,  machinists, 
metal  workers;  the  men  in  Aero-Engine  Courses 
and  Liberty  Ignition  were  assigned  to  the  871st; 
and  airplane  mechanics,  fabric  workers,  and  special- 
ists to  the  872nd. 

As  soldiers  the  men  were  directed  by  one  set  of 
officers  and  as  students  by  an  entirely  different  set 
under  the  supervision  of  the  officer  in  charge  of 
training. 

In  the  beginning  the  courses  were  of  but  one 
month  duration,  but  experience  showed  that  the  men 
could  not  be  brought  up  to  the  high  standards  of 
army  efficiency;  so  the  courses  were  extended  to 
cover  a  three  months  period.  As  the  work  progressed 
the  need  was  found  for  new  courses;  and  courses 
in  propeller  making,  instrument  welding,  and  ma- 
chine shop  practice  were  added.  As  the  departments 
grew  by  leaps  and  bounds,  standards  were  set  which 
soon  eliminat'^d  the  inapt,  who  were  transferred  to 
other  arms  of  the  service  for  which  they  were  bet- 
ter fitted,  such  as  Infantry,  Labor  Regiments,  and 
Quartermasters  Corps.  Men  who  failed  on  three 
weekly  exams  were  subject  to  transfer  to  other 
branches;  but  before  being  transferred,  they  had 
two  or  three  weeks  time  to  do  in  the  "Soldiers' 
Paradise"  —  the  Kitchen. 

As  the   men   progressed   in  the  theoretical  and 


40  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

practical  shop  work,  they  were  offered  an  oppor- 
tunity to  test  their  knowledge  upon  planes  used  in 
daily  flight,  as  no  man  could  be  classed  as  a  graduate 
until  he  had  demonstrated  his  ability  for  a  prescribed 
period  at  the  Advance  Training  Field.  The  success- 
ful flying  at  this  field,  free  from  all  accidents,  is  a 
tribute  to  the  instructors  who  so  thoroughly  trained 
their  men  that  it  was  practical  to  keep  a  number 
of  ships  in  first  class  condition,  all  the  time. 

The  schools  were  equipped  wiith  every  modern 
mechanical  appliance,  and  some  geniuses  evolved 
new  methods  and  appliances  for  use  in  these  courses. 

When  a  student  completed  his  course,  he  was 
sent  to  a  flying  field  to  meet  the  incessant  demand 
for  skilled  mechanics. 

As  an  example  of  the  training  methods  and  their 
evolution,  let  me  illustrate  by  giving  in  detail  the 
development  of  one  important  course,  namely, 
Aero  Engines. 

Instructions  were  started  March  13,  19 18  when 
a  class  of  eighty  men  began  the  study  of  motors 
with  one  Liberty  Motor  for  equipment.  In  order  to 
manage  this,  the  motor  was  disassembled  and  various 
parts  placed  on  eight  benches  with  a  civilian  in- 
structor at  each  bench.  The  class  was  divided  and 
the  diff^erent  groups  studied  each  part  in  turn. 
This  only  lasted  about  a  week,  for  L.  W.  F.  Suselages 
began  to  arive  and  their  engines  were  immediately 
added  to  the  Engine  Department  and  worked  into 
service.  Besides  civilian  instructors,  the  best  men 
among  this  first  class  were  placed   as  instructors. 


JOSEPH   J.   CROWLEY 


COMMERCE  IN  THE  WAR  41 

As  time  passed,  the  department  steadily  grew  both 
in  regard  to  equipment  and  personnel.  The  regular 
courses  were  four  weeks  and  during  this  period  the 
men  became  famihar  with  the  following  engines; 
Sturtevant,  Thomas  Curtis,  and  the  Liberty,  which 
was  then  new  both  to  instructors  and  students. 

The  course  was  extended  to  cover  three  months 
and  the  capacity  of  the  department  was  enlarged  so 
as  to  handle  eight  hundred  men;  manuals  of  in- 
structions were  started;  these  were  the  next  big 
changes.  Three  Massachusetts  boys,  Lieutenants 
Walsh,  Cleary,  and  Pubhcover  were  added  to  the 
Administrative  Staff  of  the  Department  and  several 
more  instructors  from  other  fields,  together  with  in- 
structors retained  from  the  graduates,  were  ap- 
pointed. The  growth  of  the  Department  was  such 
that  400  men  were  under  instruction  in  July  and 
one  hundred  graduates  were  awaiting  shipment. 

Rotary  engines  of  several  types  as  well  as  a  few 
Hispano-Suiza  had  been  added  and  were  used  in  the 
course,  as  a  result  of  which  one  hundred  and  fifty 
Rotary  engine  experts  were  shipped  near  the  end 
of  June. 

In  October  the  department  started  the  training 
of  thirty  instructors  who  were  to  estabhsh  a  branch 
school  at  Selfridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.,  on 
the  Hispano-Suiza  engine.  Instruction  at  this  time 
was  being  carried  on  almost  entirely  by  enhsted  men, 
civilian  instructors  having  gradually  been  eliminated 
as  fast  as  their  services  could  be  replaced. 

Finally,  with  cessation  of  hostihties,  orders  were 


42  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

given   to   cease   instruction    and   close   up   the   de- 
partment. 

The  development  of  this  department  from  its 
humble  beginnings  to  the  point  where  it  was  able  to 
handle  one  hundred  thirty-six  motors  of  every  known 
type,  with  a  corps  of  highly  speciaHzed  instructors, 
masters  of  each  type  of  motor,  is  but  typical  of  the 
development  which  took  place  through  the  school. 


SNATCHES   FROM   THE   LOG  OF 
A  NAVAL  RECRUIT 


SNATCHES   FROM  THE  LOG  OF 
A  NAVAL  RECRUIT 

GEORGE  H.  SALLAWAY,    191 2 

Lieut.  U-g-)   (P-C.)   U.S.N.R.F. 

MY  job  during  the  war  was  to  take  care  of 
the  needs  of  the  good  ship  U.S.S.  Alloway. 
That  was  not  a  small  order,  yet  it  had  many 
pleasant  experiences  included  in  it.  The  most  un- 
usual of  these  was  my  journey  to  and  the  stop- 
overs at  the  different  ports  of  the  west  coast  of 
South  America. 

Twenty  days  after  leaving  San  Francisco,  we 
sighted  land  off  the  coast  of  Ecuador.  The  Andes 
rise  sheer  out  of  the  ocean  at  this  point  to  tremen- 
dous heights.  As  we  plied  southward,  this  remarkable 
scenic  display,  gradually  unfolded  from  a  distance, 
produced  deep  impressions  of  awe  and  wonderment. 
So  immense  is  the  scale  on  which  Nature  works  in 
these  regions,  that  only  from  a  distance  can  one  in 
any  degree  comprehend  the  relation  of  the  several 
parts  to  the  stupendous  whole. 

The  object  of  the  voyage  was  to  get  a  cargo  of 
nitrate  salt,  which  was  in  great  demand  for  muni- 
tion production.  Our  loading  point  was  Caleta 
Buena   (little   good   harbor).     We  dropped   anchor 

45 


46  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

within  fifty  yards  of  the  shore.  The  cHfFs  which 
bordered  the  coast  formed  a  natural  horseshoe- 
shaped  shelter.  The  inlet  was  not  very  large,  yet 
while  we  were  there  Japanese,  French,  and  English 
vessels  lay  alongside. 

An  invitation  was  sent  to  the  ship,  offering  the 
hospitality  of  the  Agua  Santa  headquarters  to  the 
Captain  and  me.  The  Captain  sent  his  regrets. 
I  don't  think  he  fancied  taking  the  hazardous  trip 
over  the  precipitous  cliffs  that  towered  above 
our  ship,  but  I  was  keen  for  the  experience. 

So  many  incidents  of  unusual  interest  were  con- 
centrated into  those  delightful  thirty-six  hours, 
that  time  and  space  would  not  permit  detailed 
review.  So  I  will  just  give  you  snatches  of  the 
saHent  features  of  this  seventy-mile  trip  into  the 
interior  of  the  narrow  country  of  Chile. 

This  trip  has  done  a  great  deal  to  broaden  my 
views  and  to  make  me  realize  that  the  sun  does  not 
rise  and  set  only  in  the  U.S.A.  Burton  Holmes 
would  do  well  to  take  a  trip  on  the  tram  and  narrow 
gauged  railway  that  carries  one  into  the  heart  of  the 
nitrate  fields.  The  steep  incline  to  the  "alto"  is  a 
sensation  worth  the  entire  trip  down  there.  I  cannot 
adequately  describe  it  but  I  treasure  the  spectacle 
as  I  whizzed  upward  as  though  tagged  thru  to 
heaven.  For  two  hours,  after  reaching  the  "alto," 
I  gazed  at  a  tremendous  scenic  expanse,  which  held 
me  spell-bound  as  we  chugged  along  the  lofty  ridges. 
The  wealth  of  minerals  present  in  the  distorted 
strata,  made  a  kaleidoscope  of  color.     There  was 


ANGUS   A.   CAMERON 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  47 

not  a  spear  of  vegetation  visible,  nor  a  trace  of  life. 
On  arriving  at  the  "alto,"  which  was  the  httle  sta- 
tion, at  the  top  of  the  cliff,  I  thought  I  was  through 
with  climbing,  but  instead  I  was  surprised  to  find 
myself  surrounded  with  lofty  peaks  of  easily  twice 
the  height  again. 

After  several  stop-overs  I  finally  reached  the 
"Oficina."  This  is  synonymous  with  "headquar- 
ters." For  several  miles,  before  reaching  the  settle- 
ment, laborers  were  in  evidence  working  the  "caliche" 
(nitrate).  Three  hundred  feet  from  the  "  ferrocarril" 
an  explosion  happened  just  as  we  were  passing.  The 
method  of  working  the  nitrate  is  by  blasting.  It  is 
as  spectacular  as  depth  bombs,  and  incidentally 
there  may  be  more  connection  between  between  the 
two  phenomena  than  a  literal  simile  would  suggest. 

On  arrival  I  was  very  cordially  received  into  the 
Humberstone  household.  Everything  bespoke  com- 
fort, refinement,  and  especially  sincere  hospitahty. 
English  customs  were  evident  and  each  member  of 
the  family  circle  proved  delightfully  pleasant  and 
kind. 

On  the  afternoon  of  arrival,  we  followed  the  re- 
fining process  of  the  nitrate  step  by  step  at  the  main 
plant  and,  before  breakfast  on  the  following  fore- 
noon, visited  the  "Irene"  oficina  about  four  miles 
distant.  Many  points  of  scientific  significance  were 
disclosed,  which  to  refer  to  would  carry  me  far 
off  the  track.  Yet  these  formed  the  nucleus  and 
value  of  these  intensely  interesting  trips. 

Knowing  the   natural   advantages   under  which 


48  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

our  industries  in  the  United  States  flourish,  having 
all  contributing  appliances  readily  available,  assisted 
by  communication,  with  specialized  scientific  schools 
to  consult  and  from  which  to  draw  capable  subor- 
dinates, my  complacence  as  to  their  success  was 
tempered  somewhat  by  the  examples  of  grit  and 
energy  evidenced  in  every  department  of  the  nitrate 
manufacture. 

Despite  the  handicap  of  isolation,  the  oficina 
proved  marvelously  self-sufficient,  modern  in  equip- 
ment, construction,  and  scientific  arrangement  and 
management.  The  growth  of  the  industry  had 
caused  the  headquarters  to  be  expanded  by  patch- 
work; notwithstanding,  it  forms  a  smooth-running, 
effort-conserving  plant  of  considerable  capacity. 
The  genius  of  the  managers  is  shown  clearly  by  the 
model  modern  oficina,  "Irene,"  recently  constructed, 
adjacent  to  the  famous  "Agua  Santa."  Methods, 
which  are  considered  ultra-modern,  are  developed 
even  to  a  point  beyond  what  are  found  in  American 
industrial  plants,  yet  are  casually  and  modestly 
referred  to.  Cooperative  food  distribution,  model 
homes,  and  musical  and  social  clubs,  together 
with  many  other  sincere  efforts  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  the  nitrate  workers  are  part  of  the 
conduct  of  the  administration  of  this  interesting 
community  and  corporation.  The  plant  itself  is 
replete  with  time-  and  labor-saving  devices,  having 
in  operation  the  best  methods  of  gravity  and 
belt  conveyors,  mechanically  adjusted  levers,  etc. 
The   iodine   refining   plant  is  a  separate    unit    and 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  49 

is  so  arranged  that  the  crude  essence  is  started 
at  an  elevation,  and,  by  its  own  gravity,  goes  step 
by  step  through  the  refining  process,  and  finally 
reaches  the  other  end  of  the  plant  ready  for  export. 
Many  superior  points  of  a  technical  nature  were  dis- 
closed on  my  two  visits  to  the  plants,  which  would  be, 
I  am  sure,  of  far-reaching  practical  value  to  our 
best-informed  industrial  engineers.  Time  went  all 
too  quickly  and  at  three  o'clock  all  arrangements 
had  been  made  for  me  to  meet  the  coach,  on  the 
main  hne,  to  Caleta  Buena.  The  afternoon  trip, 
westward,  was  a  most  impressive  scenic  display. 
The  outlook  could  be  considered  constantly  "bird's- 
eye,"  for  the  roadbed  maintains  its  lofty  altitude 
despite  the  steep  and  numerous  ridges  and  ravines. 
We  arrived  at  the  "alto"  again  all  too  soon.  There 
we  changed  for  the  tram  cars  and  prepared  for  the 
drop  to  the  depths,  dimly  visible  2200  feet  below. 
The  inchne  has  three  stages.  It  consists  of  two 
lines  on  which  ascending  and  descending  cars  travel. 
A  brake  controls  the  speed  of  the  drum,  the  prin- 
ciple of  the  line  being,  that  a  full  car  of  nitrate, 
descending,  pulls  up  a  car  lightly  laden  with  hay, 
coal,  oil,  barley,  etc.  A  kind  of  step  was  hitched 
on  the  back  of  the  car  that  was  waiting  for  me  and 
there  I  took  my  stand.  The  brakeman  retired  to 
the  power  house  and  set  the  ropes  loose.  Toboggans, 
Elevated  cars,  roller  coasters  at  home  had  in  a  small 
measure  prepared  me  for  this  sort  of  riding,  but 
I  must  confess  that  when  I  found  myself  leaning 
alone  forward,  on  my  stomach,  against  the  back  of 


50  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

the  car,  taking  a  genuine  bird's-eye  view  of  little 
Caleta  Buena  and  the  ocean  beyond,  I,  involunta- 
rily, gripped  hard  and  sank  into  almost  a  kneeling 
position.  In  a  few  seconds  recovered,  I  began  to  en- 
joy the  sensation  of  rushing  down  through  the  air. 
On  reaching  the  bottom  of  the  section  the  car  was 
level  again.  One  third  of  the  drop  was  over;  my 
feelings  were  mingled  regret  and  relief.  Down  I 
whizzed  again,  the  whirr  of  wheels  alone  marking  the 
progress.  On  the  second  level,  the  car  was  shifted 
again.  This  took  a  minute  or  two  and  it  was  all  but 
dusk  as  it  literally  shot  over  the  cliff  for  the  last 
time.  "Ouf!"  I  could  not  help  ejaculating,  for  with 
a  53°  grade,  it  really  looked  as  if  the  car  and  I  were 
going  to  take  a  header  into  the  water,  which  I 
could  see  glittering  below  me.  A  few  moments 
later,  I  was  safely  on  sea  level,  back  to  the  point 
I  had  started  from,  laden  with  delightful  experiences, 
yet  mighty  glad  to  see  my  good  ship's  stately  lines 
silhouetted  in  the  diminishing  glow  of  twilight. 

A  few  days  later  we  steamed  northward,  well 
laden  with  the  precious  ingredient  of  warfare  and 
first-hand  impressions  of  this  crude,  unique,  and 
prosperous  country. 


MORE  OR  LESS   OFFICIAL 


MORE  OR   LESS  OFFICIAL 

WILLIAM    M.  SLATTERY,   'll 

I  WAS  considerably  to  the  Rear.  Mine  was  a 
more  or  less  official  capacity  in  our  Southern 
Port  of  Embarkation.  I  say  more  or  less  official 
as  I  am  shghtly  confused  on  this  point.  It  is  pro- 
bable however  that  I  received  more  orders  than  I 
gave,  so  we  will,  to  expedite  this  narrative,  decide 
t  hat  my  capacity  was  less  official.  A  Port  of  Embark- 
ation is  in  itself  difficult  to  describe.  I  might  even 
declare  that  it  beggars  description.  It  is  supposedly 
divided  into  clearly  defined  spheres  of  action,  de- 
signed primarily  to  ensure  efficient  administration. 
Any  such  result  is  forestalled,  however,  by  subject- 
ing these  spheres  to  a  bewildering  process  of  addition, 
subtraction,  and  multiphcation  of  duties.  Being  but 
a  passable  mathematician,  I  have  never  solved  the 
problem. 

During  the  winter  of  191 7-18  our  army  and  its 
organization  may  be  said  to  have  been  in  their 
infancy.  To  those  of  my  readers  who  have  reached 
the  infant  stage  (second  generation)  the  following 
comparison  should  prove  especially  illuminating. 
You  have  observed  the  natural  inabihty  of  the  child 
to  grasp  the  things  of  everyday  life  beyond  the  eter- 

53 


54  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

nal  mystery  of  its  ten  pink  toes,  occasionally  varied 
with  the  probing  exploration  of  its  mouth  with  a  ghs- 
tening  forefinger  or  thumb.  True,  you  reahze  that 
its  brain  is  slowly  grasping  things  and  reason  is 
developing,  but  its  first  smile  of  recognition  is  mar- 
velous to  you,  and  its  first  pronounced  word  is  a 
positive  thunderbolt.  So  it  was  at  the  Port.  We 
started  with  nothing,  and  quickly,  before  our  aston- 
ished eyes,  was  reared  a  tremendous  system  and 
organization  of  unbounded  activity. 

I  can  remember,  back  at  the  beginning,  standing 
out  at  the  end  of  our  lone  pier  awaiting  the  sight  of 
an  unnamed,  unknown  transport  that  would  push 
its  nose  through  the  capes  and  on  up  the  river  to 
dock.  We  did  not  know  the  capacity  of  her  holds, 
to  what  port  in  France  she  would  proceed,  nor  what 
material  was  most  urgently  required;  and  so  the 
cars  that  stood  in  closest  proximity  to  the  pier  shed 
were  unloaded  with  an  occasional  especially  desig- 
nated car  ordered  "rush,"  via  wire  from  Wash- 
ington. It  was  usually  wagon  parts,  trucks,  canned 
foods,  ammunition,  machinery,  lumber,  horses, 
mules,  and  fodder.  A  typical  instance  of  resultant 
confusion  may  be  of  interest  here.  On  a  particu- 
larly blustery  day,  finding  time  hanging  heavily 
while  awaiting  a  ship,  I  took  a  personally  conducted 
tour  of  the  waterfront  in  a  spirit  of  exploration  and 
came  soon  to  an  old  apparently  deserted  pier.  The 
door  being  slightly  ajar,  I  squeezed  in  and  was  con- 
fronted by  thousands  of  tons  of  hay  and  oats, 
stacked  to  the  very  roof.     Pondering  over  this  dis- 


LIEUT.   JAMES   R.    MAHONEY 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  S5 

CO  very,  it  occured  to  me  that  the  bustle  of  prep- 
aration was  threatening  our  horses  with  a  barren 
banquet,  our  mules  with  a  lost  luncheon,  and  so 
forthwith  I  started  back  to  trail  the  ownership  of 
my  find.  A  day  of  investigation  estabhshed  its 
owner  as  the  U.S.A.  and  in  due  time  it  found  its 
way  to  the  stomachs  of  our  silent  combatants  in 
France. 

Gradually  the  speed  of  the  transport  service  in- 
creased and  now  we  were  never  without  ships  on 
either  side  of  the  three  piers  in  operation.  Our  forces 
abroad  were  increasing  by  leaps  and  bounds  and  the 
difficulty  soon  was  to  get  men  to  develop  the  or- 
ganization within  the  Port.  Constantly  we  averaged 
eighteen  hours  on  the  job,  and  this  amidst  the  diffi- 
culties resulting  from  the  abnormal  freezing  weather 
of  that  winter.  The  possessor  of  a  bad  cold  was 
recognized  as  in  tiptop  condition,  while  he  who 
contracted  pneumonia  was  merely  indisposed. 

A  condition  Hke  this,  however,  could  be  but  a 
passing  one  and  the  addition  of  men  soon  regulated 
the  periods  of  duty.  Enormous  warehouses  were 
under  construction  and  a  system  was  perfected  that 
anticipated  the  arrival  of  a  ship  by  placing,  one  day 
previous  to  its  arrival,  the  exact  amount  of  cargo 
the  ship  was  known  to  hold  by  actual  measurement, 
in  the  order  of  its  priority,  upon  the  side  of  the  dock, 
at  which  the  ship  would  tie  up.  There  were  actually 
thousands  of  officers  and  men  in  this  Port  organi- 
zation at  the  finish,  covering  every  conceivable  activ- 
ity, and  although  the  unloaded  freight  cars  extended 


$6  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

back  from  the  pier  sheds  through  the  government 
yards  to  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles  inland,  confusion, 
allowing  for  the  magnitude  of  the  operations,  was 
reduced  to  the  minimum,  and  astounding  quantities 
of  material,  men,  and  animals  were  shipped  daily. 
A  comparison  that  will  perhaps  place  clearly  before 
you  the  amount  of  traffic  we  handled  suggests 
itself  to  me.  In  your  imagination  can  you  picture 
the  United  States  with  its  manifold  war  activities 
as  a  gigantic  double-spouted  funnel?  In  the  cup  of 
this  funnel  are  all  the  factories  and  plants  of  the 
country  turning  out  materials  of  war  for  shipment 
abroad,  and  herein  also  are  the  many  camps  where 
our  troops  were  concentrated  and  trained.  The  out- 
lets for  this  material  and  these  men  were  our  two 
Embarkation  Ports  and  these,  then,  are  the  spouts 
of  our  funnel.  Through  these  poured  an  unending 
stream,  day  and  night,  week  in  and  week  out,  swell- 
ing the  tide  of  allied  success  to  such  proportions 
that  the  Central  Empires  were  soon  inundated  and 
further  resistance  made  useless. 

The  outstanding  feature  of  all  this  activity  to 
me  was  the  peculiar  adaptability  of  the  average 
man  and  his  ability  to  surmount  the  varied  diflfi- 
culties  constantly  confronting  him.  They  had  no 
rule  or  precedent  to  govern  or  guide  them,  for  they 
were  confronting  a  situation  foreign  to  this  country. 
Largely  without  previous  experience  they  applied 
themselves  to  tasks  that  were  of  a  magnitude  never 
attempted  before.  There  was  all  about  them,  how- 
ever, a  spirit  of  grim  determination  that  was  infec- 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  57 

tious.  I  watched  with  keenest  appreciation  this 
spectacle  of  real  American  initiative  and  adapt- 
ability bringing  order  out  of  chaos,  accelerating  to 
tremendous  speed  the  machinery  of  our  army  move- 
ment, and  above  all  else  hastening  the  day  of  days 
that  brought  bitterly-won  Victory.  This  was  the 
spirit  that  was  rife  at  the  front  and  rear,  in  factory 
and  field.  If  this  war  brings  us  nothing  else  we  are 
at  least  richer  in  having  been  gripped  by  the  fervid 
enthusiasm  of  those  days  of  America's  triumph. 

'Twould  seem.  Reader,  that  my  pen  had  wan- 
dered momentarily  from  the  lighter  paths  of  thought 
we  first  trod.  I  will  hasten  on  to  the  end  with  you 
and  hand  you  over  to  more  entertaining  company 
on  the  page  that  follows  me.  Be  I  richer  or  poorer 
in  Time  or  Pelf  as  a  result  of  those  rushing  Army 
months,  I  retain  at  least  in  storage  a  motley  mass  of 
in-  and-  misin-  formation,  gathered  unconciously,  to 
be  used  perhaps  some  future  day,  The  League  of 
Nations  notwithstanding.  I  know  for  instance  how 
to  take  the  draft  of  a  ship;  the  component  parts 
of  an  escort  wagon;  a  soldier's  ration  of  food  for 
a  day;  a  mule's  ration  of  fodder  for  a  week;  the 
horror  of  fiUing  out  various  forms  too  numerous 
to  specify;  the  graduated  attitudes  of  deference  to 
be  shown  officers  of  all  ranks;  the  sensation  of 
parking  in  an  army  shoe;  the  careless  drape  of  all 
new-issue  army  clothing;  the  nauseated  feeling 
following  a  shot;  the  comradeship  of  good  fellows; 
the  glow  of  robust  health;  the  awakened  realization 
of  just  what  the  folks  back  home  meant  to  me; 


58  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

the  bliss  of  a  discharge;  and  the  yearning  for  pie 
like  mother  used  to  make.  Suffice  it  to  say  that 
by  adhering  strictly  to  my  carefully  planned  rule 
of  defence  I  emerged  unscathed.  This  rule,  by  the 
bye,  I  found  extremely  valuable,  not  to  say  effica- 
cious; so  I  impart  it  to  all  who  may  ever  wear 
bars  and  find  themselves  in  similar  distress:  i.e.,  Sign 
nothing  but  the  Pay  Roll. 

Curiously,  it  has  just  occurred  to  me  that  at  no 
time  in  this  article  have  I  mentioned  what  I  was 
or  where  I  was.  If  you  were  an  Army  man  I  am 
sure  you  have  guessed  the  answer  to  my  Httle  riddle 
and  I  will  take  your  acceptance  of  my  apology,  or 
your  sympathy  —  as  you  elect.     Both  are  in  order. 


HOSPITAL  SERVICE   IN   FRANCE 


HOSPITAL  SERVICE   IN   FRANCE 

WILLIAM   S.   DAVIS,   JR.,   '19 

ON  the  thirtieth  of  May,  191 7  I  enlisted.  I 
enhsted  in  the  Medical  Corps  with  the  Mas- 
sachusetts General  Hospital  Unit,  officially 
known  as  U.S.A.  Base  Hospital  No.  6.  The  only 
reason  I  can  think  of  now  for  doing  it  was  that  this 
outfit  was  going  to  France  immediately,  or  at  least 
that  was  what  we  were  told.  During  our  five  weeks 
training  at  Fort  Strong  we  were  all  scared  to  death 
the  war  would  be  over  before  we  got  across.  We 
felt  differently  after  we  had  been  in  France  awhile; 
then  we  were  afraid  it  never  was  coming  to  an  end. 
The  outfit  sailed  from  New  York,  July  11,  191 7, 
on  the  English  boat  Aurania,  it  being  before  the 
time  of  American  transports.  There  was  the  usual 
submarine  excitement  and  —  as  with  all  other 
boats  —  a  narrow  escape.  Of  course  every  boat 
either  had  a  torpedo  just  miss  the  stern  or  go  under 
the  bow,  so  we  had  to  have  some  story.  An  American 
destroyer  met  us  when  we  were  a  day  off"  the  Irish 
coast  and  just  before  she  turned  us  over  to  a  British 
convoy  she  suddenly  swerved  off  for  a  few  miles 
and  fired  five  shots,  then  returned  and  drew  up 
alongside    our    boat.      The    captain    yelled    to    our 

61 


62  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

captain  that  they  had  sunk  a  sub  with  the  third 
shot.  Now  use  your  own  judgment  about  this 
and  do  not  be  too  hard  on   me. 

We  put  into  Queenstown  harbor  for  24  hours 
to  wait  for  a  let-up  in  the  sub  activities  and  then 
went  to  Liverpool,  where  we  landed  July  23.  Then 
to  Southhampton  and  two  days  later  we  sailed 
into  Le  Havre.  The  only  distinction  I  have  is  that, 
so  far  as  I  know,  I  was  the  first  Commerce  fel- 
low to  arrive  in  France  with  the  American  Expedi- 
tionary Forces.  However,  I  know  of  a  few  that 
got  over  there  before  with  the  Canadian  Forces. 
There  was  another  Commerce  graduate,  Herbert 
Taylor,  in  the  same  outfit  with  me,  but  he  was  on 
a  freight  detail  in  England  and  came  across  the 
Channel  a  little  later. 

After  a  short  stay  in  a  British  Camp  at  Le  Havre, 
we  went  to  Bordeaux.  We  took  over  a  French 
hospital  at  Talence  a  short  distace  outside  this 
city.  When  we  first  arrived  at  this  place,  it  was  a 
sorry  looking  sight  and  the  patients  were  just  as 
sorry  looking.  After  the  French  patients  were  sent 
away  to  other  French  hospitals,  we  immediately  set 
to  work  to  clean  the  place  up  and  prepare  for  our 
own  patients.  A  short  while  after,  a  company  of 
engineers  joined  us  and  made  improvements  and 
additions.  At  first  it  was  a  one  thousand  bed 
hospital,  but  before  we  left,  it  had  held  5000  at 
one  time  and  on  a  pinch  was  capable  of  holding  more. 

During  the  twenty-one  months  I  was  in  France 
I  spent  all  the  time  at  this  hospital,  except  for  a 


JOHN   L.    DONOVAN 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  63 

short  period  of  detached  service  helping  to  establish 
other  hospitals,  occasional  trips  with  convoys  to 
different  hospitals,  one  furlough  spent  in  Brittany, 
and,  last  but  not  least,  an  AWOL  trip  to  Paris. 

In  February,  1919  we  turned  the  hospital  over 
to  another  organization  and  awaited  our  embark- 
ation orders.  They  finally  came,  although  many 
of  us  had  begun  to  doubt  that  such  things  existed. 
On  March  12  we  sailed  from  Bassens  on  the  good 
ship  Antigone.  She  was  formerly  a  German  boat 
and  a  pretty  poor  one  at  that,  but  we  were  going 
home,  so  could  stand  anything.  The  morning  of 
March  24  we  sighted  the  skyline  of  New  York 
and  that  night  were  decently  quartered  at  Camp 
Merritt.  From  there  we  went  to  Camp  Devens  and 
on  April  9,   19 19  received  our  discharges. 


TRAINING   FOR   AIR  SERVICE 


TRAINING   FOR  AIR  SERVICE 

JAMES   COGGESHALL,    JR.  '13 

APRIL,  1917,  found  me  nearing  the  end  of  my 
Junior  year  at  Harvard  College.  Months  be- 
fore, the  Reserve  Officers  Training  Corps  had 
been  formed.  College  had  developed  a  more  or  less 
complete  military  atmosphere,  daily  drills,  classes 
in  military  matters,  and  what  not.  Regular  col- 
lege work  had  become  distinctly  secondary  among 
college  activities. 

So  it  was  with  no  feeling  of  unexpectedness  that 
I,  as  an  individual,  was  drawn  into  the  war  —  and 
the  same  would  be  true  of  my  friends  and  class- 
mates. To  those  enrolling  in  war  activities,  special 
examinations  were  given  by  the  College.  These  I 
hurriedly  prepared  for  and  passed.  May  found  me 
in  Washington  assisting  former  Dean  WilHam  R. 
Castle,  Jr.,  of  Harvard,  in  the  establishing  of  a 
new  bureau  in  the  American  National  Red  Cross. 

This  bureau,  first  called  the  Bureau  of  Infor- 
mation for  Wounded,  Killed,  Missing  and  Prisoners, 
later  was  known  as  the  Bureau  of  Communication. 
As  time  went  on,  this  Bureau  served  by  obtaining 
information  of  loved  ones  for  thousands  of  anxious 
parents  who  sought  its  aid.     Through  its  efforts, 

67 


68  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

arrangements  were  made  with  the  International 
Committee  of  the  Red  Cross  at  Geneva  to  obtain 
information  concerning  boys  who  had  been  taken 
prisoners  and  were  confined  in  German  camps. 
Parcels  of  food  went  regularly  from  a  branch  in 
Switzerland.  It  was  splendid  humanitarian  work, 
and  when  the  whole  story  is  written,  Dean  Castle 
must  be  given  due  recognition  for  the  untiring 
service  he  gave  in  its  behalf. 

Only  through  the  summer  did  I  take  part  in 
this  work.  The  actual  mihtary  branches  of  the  ser- 
vice had  been  closed  to  me,  but  early  in  September 
my  failure  to  pass  a  physical  examination  was 
waived,  and  October  found  me  a  Student  Naval 
Aviator  at  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Tech- 
nology. The  Naval  Reserve  Flying  Corps  was  a 
new  organization  composed  of  eager  young  men. 
For  two  months,  we  worked  hard  and  long  at  the 
Ground  School.  In  that  short  time,  we  were  ex- 
pected to  grasp  the  fundamentals  of  the  technical 
side  of  flying  along  with  a  knowledge  of  engines, 
wireless  telegraphy,  signalhng,  meteorology,  aero- 
plane construction,  Naval  Regulations,  seamanship, 
and,  most  important  of  all,  navigation  —  not  a 
small  order!  Time  passed  rapidly,  and  by  Thanks- 
giving, we  were  through  the  Ground  School,  and 
had  commenced  flight  training  at  the  Naval  Air 
Station  at  Hampton  Roads,  Virginia. 

The  fife  at  the  Air  Station  was,  in  a  sense,  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  days  at  Technology.  Theory, 
learned   there,   was   now   appHed   to   actual   flying. 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  69 

My  first  flight  came  a  few  days  after  our  arrival. 
More  than  enough  has  been  written  about  "first 
flights,"  and  the  subject  must  be  passed  over.  My 
feeling  was  one  of  bewilderment  more  than  anything 
else;  confused  by  the  noise  of  the  engine,  and  mar- 
velling at  the  adroitness  of  the  pilot  —  I  wondered 
whether  I  could  ever  learn  to  control  the  machine 
in  which  I,  for  the  time  being,  was  a  quiet  and 
somewhat  scared  passenger. 

There  is  an  impression,  I  think,  that  the  life  of 
a  flyer  was  "cream"  as  compared  to  the  life  in 
other  branches  of  the  service.  True,  it  was  a  more 
undisciphned  hfe,  but  on  the  whole,  it  was  as  hard 
as  other  branches,  if  not  harder.  There  was  no 
precedent  for  its  organization.  Inexperience  was  the 
dominant  note  of  the  men  in  charge.  Facilities  for 
the  care  of  planes  were  sadly  lacking.  The  canvas 
tents  in  which  planes  were  kept  in  the  early  days 
would  be  blown  over  by  the  storms  that  swept  the 
coast,  and  many  times  the  entire  station  was  called 
out  to  salvage  as  much  as  possible.  Or  again, 
if  there  was  a  crash  —  and  there  were  plenty  of 
crashes  —  instead  of  having  a  derrick  proceed  to 
the  wreckage  as  would  happen  in  later  days,  the 
wrecked  plane  was  salvaged  by  hand  work.  We 
assembled  planes,  changed  pontoons,  installed  en- 
gines, unpacked  freight  cars,  built  roads  —  in  fact, 
did  everything,  but  fly. 

An  exceedingly  severe  cold  set  in  Christmas 
week,  19 1 7.  Flying  was  prevented  entirely.  This 
condition  continued  through  early  January  and  soon 


70  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

we  were  a  disillusioned  crowd.  Cold,  snow,  and  dis- 
appointment, combined  with  inactivity,  served  to 
dim  the  glamour  of  flying.  Orders  from  Washing- 
ton directing  the  entire  detachment  to  Pensacola, 
Florida,  were  welcomed  eagerly.  We  arrived  at 
that  Station  soon  enough,  and  quickly  took  our 
places  in  the  life  there.  Neither  the  living  quarters 
nor  the  food  were  what  they  might  have  been,  but 
there  was  steady  flight  instruction  —  and  that,  after 
all,  was  the  most  important  thing. 

The  days  of  preliminary  flight  training  passed 
rapidly,  and  it  was  not  long  before  I  had  passed 
successfully  the  various  qualifying  tests  —  flying  to 
an  altitude  of  6000  feet,  spiralling  down  to  3000  feet, 
shutting  the  motor  completely  ofl^,  and  landing 
within  a  prescribed  distance  of  a  dory  anchored  in 
the  bay.  Then  came  bombing  practice,  machine- 
gun  work,  and  navigation  trips.  At  the  end  of 
February,  I  was  a  qualified  Naval  Aviator,  and 
commissioned  an  Ensign  in  the  United  States 
Naval  Reserve  Flying  Corps. 

On  completion  of  flight  training  at  Pensacola, 
aviators  were  sent  to  many  diff^erent  places;  some 
went  directly  across,  some  to  the  diff^erent  stations 
in  this  country,  and  some  remained  on  duty  at  Pen- 
sacola. My  orders  kept  me  at  Pensacola,  and  there 
for  three  months,  I  played  my  part  in  the  training 
of  student  flyers.  Just  what  might  have  become  of 
me  is  problematical,  but  any  possibility  of  service 
across  was  cut  short  by  an  attack  of  typhoid  fever 
in  May.     This,  of  course,  removed  me  from  active 


GEORGE  P.  WORKMAN 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  71 

duty,  and  it  was  not  until  October  that  I  was  able 
to  resume  work,  and  flying  was  out  of  the  question. 

Orders  brought  me  to  the  Bureau  of  Naval 
Operations  (Aviation)  at  Washington.  Lt.  Com- 
mander Read,  later  to  win  fame  as  the  first  trans- 
Atlantic  flyer,  was  at  that  time  in  charge  of  the 
Material  Section  of  Naval  Aviation,  and  I  served  as 
assistant  to  him  until  December  13,  when  I  was 
reheved  of  all  active  duty  and  ordered  home. 

Probably  every  man  who  saw  service  has  the 
feeling  that  his  particular  branch  was  the  best 
branch.  That  is  a  right  sort  of  feeUng,  and  I  must 
confess  to  sharing  it.  Man  for  man,  both  as  re- 
gards the  officer  and  enhsted  personnel,  the  men  with 
whom  I  came  in  contact  in  Naval  Aviation  were  a 
sterhng  crowd,  and  eager  to  play  the  parts  assigned 
them  in  the  struggle  for  world  freedom. 


SUBMARINE!  TWO   POINTS  OFF 
THE   PORT   BOW! 


SUBMARINE!  TWO   POINTS  OFF 
THE   PORT   BOW! 

HAROLD    E.    RUISSEAU,  '15 
Ensign,    (T.),    U.S.N. 

WHEN  war  was  declared  on  April  6,  1917,  one 
of  the  first  steps  taken  by  the  Naval  au- 
thorities was  to  form  a  Naval  Reserve 
Patrol  Fleet,  made  up  of  motor  yachts  of  many 
sizes  and  descriptions  and  one  hundred  and  ten- 
foot  submarine  chasers  especially  constructed  for 
the  work  of  finding  submarines.  Although  this  fleet 
of  sub-chasers  was  joked  about  a  good  deal  and  its 
members  sometimes  nicknamed  the  U.S.N.R.F., 
"You  shall  never  reach  France,"  or  The  "Useless 
sons  of  nation's  rich  families,"  its  work  during  the 
war  was  very  courageous  and  efficient  and  in  some 
cases  heroic,  as  many  of  its  members  who  accom- 
panied these  chasers  abroad  to  the  Engfish  Channel 
and  Mediterranean  Sea  can  testify. 

Although  their  fighting  experiences  with  German 
submarines  or  other  enemy  craft  was  somewhat 
Hmited,  the  fights  they  had  with  the  briny  deep  were 
about  as  tough  as  many  of  these  trench  battles 
that  some  of  the  army  men  tell  about.  For  they 
fought  an  invincible  seasickness,  in  which  they  knew 
no  fear  of  death. 

75 


76  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Then,  too,  we  must  give  a  lot  of  credit  to  many 
of  the  men  who  manned  the  sub-chasers  on  this 
side  of  the  Atlantic,  for  their  experiences  were  as 
bad  at  times.  Many  of  these  men  wanted  to  go  to 
France  or  England  for  duty  but  were  unfortunate 
enough  to  be  held  on  this  side  on  chasers  that  were 
not  sent  abroad.  In  the  summer  months  it  is  agreed 
that  this  duty  was  rather  enjoyable,  but  those  that 
have  a  good  deal  of  sarcasm  for  the  Naval  Reserve 
Patrol  should  have  taken  a  few  trips  up  and  down  the 
coast  during  the  winter  of  191 7.  Imagine  yourself 
on  a  1 1 0-foot  sub-chaser  —  which  is  little  larger  than 
the  lifeboat  of  an  ocean-going  liner  and  not  as 
seaworthy  —  coming  up  the  coast  from  Province- 
town  to  Boston  in  the  month  of  January,  the  ther- 
mometer a  few  degrees  above  zero,  so  cold  on  deck 
that  your  breath  would  freeze  when  you  opened 
your  mouth.  It  was  impossible  to  sleep  as  the  spray 
coming  over  the  sides  leaked  through  the  decks  and 
flooded  your  bunk.  And  the  eats  were  generally 
terrible,  consisting  mainly  of  soup  and  crackers, 
many  times  just  crackers,  when  it  was  impossible 
to  keep  the  soup  pot  on  the  stove.  Funny,  too, 
as  most  of  us  enlisted  in  the  Navy  with  the  idea  of 
at  least  getting  a  place  to  sleep  and  three  squares  a 
day.  But  the  worst  of  it  was  that  we  did  all  this  for 
a  year,  looking  for  German  submarines  which  we 
never  had  a  chance  of  finding,  for  they  were  never 
within  3,000  miles  of  us.  Very  often,  however,  we 
were  sure  we  saw  one,  which  scared  some  of  us 
quite  badly. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE   WAR  77 

But,  the  following  year  of  19 18,  submarines  of 
the  enemy  became  a  reality  on  this  side  of  the 
Atlantic.  Orders  were  received  to  keep  men  on 
watch  at  all  times  when  the  sub-chasers  were  at 
sea.  The  chasers  were  equipt  with  submarine  de- 
tectors, a  device  invented  by  Edison,  consisting  of 
a  long-armed  hollow-tube  instrument,  extending  out 
about  eight  feet  from  the  side  of  the  chasers  and  then 
down  two  or  three  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  water. 
On  the  end  of  this  arm  was  an  instrument  like  a 
telephone  receiver  which  recorded  the  sound  vibra- 
tions of  the  water  and  these  sound  waves  were  trans- 
mitted to  the  receivers  worn  by  the  operator.  By 
turning  the  arm  in  an  arc  until  the  sound  waves 
were  heard  most  plainly,  the  direction  of  the  sound 
waves  made  by  a  vessel  could  be  obtained  on  the 
compass  card  attached  to  the  instrument.  An  expert 
operator  could  surmise  from  the  results  obtained 
what  sort  of  vessel  was  approaching,  its  speed,  size, 
and  whether  it  was  a  submarine  or  surface  ship. 
However,  many  of  the  captains  of  the  chasers  ex- 
pressed the  feehng  that  they  could  get  as  near  the 
submarines  as  they  wanted  to  without  that  old 
device  on  board. 

Shortly  after  this  device  was  installed,  we  were 
ordered  to  sea  as  wireless  reports  had  been  received 
that  a  German  submarine  had  sunk  a  fishing  schooner 
not  sixty  miles  from  our  Section  Base.  We  immedi- 
ately started  for  the  position  given  as  the  scene  of 
the  sinking  and  arrived  at  our  approximate  desti- 
nation about  three  o'clock  the  following  morning;  but 


78  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

as  it  was  still  dark,  nothing  could  be  seen.  We 
were  all  very  creepy  and  nervous,  for  we  felt  that  the 
same  sub  might  be  lying  submerged  near  by  and 
might  suddenly  torpedo  us.  So  we  were  much  ex- 
cited when  the  watch  in  the  crow's  nest  (the  crow's 
nest  is  a  basket-shaped  device  rigged  near  the  top 
of  the  mast  several  feet  above  the  pilot  house) 
reported  a  vessel  or  something  off  the  starboard 
quarter.  We  soon  overhauled  the  object  of  interest 
and  we  had  the  good  fortune  to  pick  up  three  dories 
containing  about  half  of  the  members  of  the  crew 
of  the  sunken  fishing  schooner.  They  told  us  of 
their  experience  with  the  German  sub:  how  she 
had  come  alongside  and  ordered  the  fisherman  to 
heave  to.  Then  the  German  sent  a  crew  aboard 
with  bombs.  The  German  sub  Captain  told  the 
fishermen  to  take  to  their  boats  as  quickly  as  pos- 
sible. He  asked  them  many  questions  about  the 
war  and  its  effect  on  America  and  told  them  — 
in  very  good  English  —  that  he  had  lived  in  Port- 
land, U.S.A.,  for  twenty  years  before  the  war  and 
knew  this  coast  hke  a  book;  that  they  would  bottle 
up  the  United  States  harbors  and  fleet  within  a  week 
or  two  and  the  United  States  would  soon  pray  for 
peace.  The  crew  of  the  sub  were  a  very  rough  and 
dirty  set  of  sailors  and  were  thin  and  white  from 
their  voyage  across  the  ocean.  They  said  they  had 
plenty  of  food  and  drink  but  that  they  could  get 
no  exercise.  The  German  captain  pointed  the  di- 
rection of  the  coast  and  then  ordered  his  crew  to 
blow    up    the    ship    with    bombs.      The    fisherman, 


WALTER  SHEA 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  79 

however,  did  not  believe  that  the  coast  was  in  the 
direction  he  pointed,  and  had  been  drifting  for 
almost  forty  hours  without  food  or  water  or  making 
any  progress  toward  land.  After  the  rescue  we  re- 
turned to  our  Section  Base  —  our  desire  to  get  a 
German  sub  sharpened. 

"Submarine  two  points  off  the  port  bow,"  was 
the  call  we  heard  the  watch  yell  about  dark  one 
evening  as  we  were  proceeding  along  the  coast  con- 
voying a  large  four-masted  sailing  vessel.  She  was 
loaded  with  copper  ore  which  was  being  shipped 
from  Canada  to  the  Du  Pont  Powder  Works  in 
Maryland.  We  had  been  feeling  rather  proud  that 
we  had  at  last  been  given  a  ship  to  convoy  that 
would  really  make  a  prize  for  a  German  submarine. 
But  our  pride  suddenly  vanished  and  some  sort  of 
fright  seized  us  and  put  our  hearts  where  our  mouths 
should  have  been,  for  we  felt  that  we  were  at  last 
due  for  a  fight  with  a  real  German  sub,  and,  from 
reports,  some  of  them  were  said  to  be  as  big  as 
battleships.  Someone,  however,  sounded  general 
quarters  and  we  all  rushed  up  on  deck.  One  gun 
crew  manned  the  six-pounder  on  the  forecastle  and 
the  other  crew  the  machine  gun  aft.  The  gun  cap- 
tain uncovered  the  six-pounder;  the  first  shellman 
opened  the  ammunition  boxes;  the  second  shellman 
seated  a  shell  in  the  breach;  the  trainer  set  the  sights 
at  the  approximate  range;  the  gun  captain  closed 
the  breach  and  pulled  the  trigger  at  the  command 
"Fire."  Our  first  real  shot  at  the  enemy  had  been 
fired.      Things   had   proceeded  so  quickly  that  we 


8o  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

had  not  realized  just  where  the  enemy  was  or 
what  he  looked  like,  but  as  the  first  shell  landed 
all  eyes  were  centered  on  the  enemy  craft  which 
appeared  on  our  port  bow  approaching  us  about 
1500  yards  away  and  about  six  feet  above  the  water's 
surface. 

Now  if  you  could  reahze  just  the  position  we 
were  in  you  would  see  Httle  difference  between  the 
doughboy  in  the  trenches  awaiting  the  approach  of 
Heinie  over  the  top,  and  us  as  we  awaited  the  attack 
of  the  German  submarine  from  which  we  had  no 
possible  means  of  escape.  It  was  a  case  of  "  I  sink 
you  or  you  sink  me,"  and  the  German  sub  had  some 
reputation  for  sinkings.  Their  guns  could  go  through 
three  ships  hke  ours  while  we  would  be  lucky  to 
make  a  good  dent  in  their  hull  with  our  cute  six- 
pounder.  Our  depth  charges  were  useless  as  our 
convoy  would  be  unable  to  get  from  the  effect  of 
the  explosion.  It  is  not  surprising  that  we  were  all 
deathly  white,  our  knees  shaky,  and  our  mouths 
uttering  silent  prayers,  for  we  thought  we  were 
doomed.  But  we  would  die  fighting  anyway.  Some 
courage  stayed  with  us  and  after  we  had  fired 
twenty  shells  or  more  a  direct  hit  seemed  to  have 
penetrated  the  hull  of  the  sub,  for  the  immense 
dark  outline  rose  high  in  the  water,  then  settled 
down  bow  first,  but  just  before  it  disappeared  it 
sent  a  stream  of  water  high  in  the  air.  Fear  evap- 
orated but  we  stood  stunned;  for  we  had  been 
fooled  by  an  immense  whale. 


IN   KHAKI 


IN   KHAKI 

HAROLD   J.  SULLIVAN,  1914 

WHEN  the  man  of  khaki  or  blue  returned, 
he  was  always  asked  to  tell  his  story.  And 
finally  would  come  the  question,  "What 
did  you  get  out  of  it,"  or  "Was  it  worth  it  all?" 
Invariably,  the  reply  would  be,  "Well,  I  wouldn't 
want  to  go  through  it  again,  but  it  was  a  wonderful 
experience." 

Not  only  was  it  a  wonderful  experience,  but  it 
was  worth  it  all.  Speaking  for  himself  the  writer 
received  far  more  than  he  was  able  to  give. 

It  is  a  lasting  experience  to  travel  throughout 
a  great  nation  bubbling  over  with  the  passions  of 
war.  The  South,  the  West,  and  the  East  are  all 
the  same.  They  live  alike,  they  work  alike,  they 
play  the  same  games,  and  in  a  great  war,  oh  boy, 
they  all  fight  alike. 

Few  careers  are  as  nearly  ideal  as  the  soldier's. 
And  no  period  perhaps  is  as  ideal  as  that  of  war. 
Every  thought  of  the  soldier  is  toward  an  ideal. 
Through  privation  and  self-sacrifice,  he  has  learned 
the  value  of  an  ideal.  Those  at  home  have  their 
burdens  which  they  bear  nobly.  With  few  ex- 
ceptions, all  are  zealously  working  for  one  common 

83 


84  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

end.  It  is  always  refreshing  to  look  back  on  the 
many  incidents  of  sincere  patriotism  and  unself- 
ishness of  the  war.  No  matter  at  what  station  the 
troop-train,  already  hours  on  the  rails  and  overdue 
drew  in,  or  at  what  unhallowed  hour  it  might  arrive, 
the  women  old  and  young  would  be  found  caring 
for  the  wants  of  the  soldiers.  Many  and  many  a 
meal  did  they  give  that  was  far  better  than  the 
regulation  ration. 

Nor  were  these  the  only  instances  of  noble 
action.  Men  have  almost  wept  when  they  learned 
they  were  not  to  go  over  seas.  Others  grieved 
because  they  were  not  fit  to  hazard  the  perils  of 
the  air.  The  pleasant  memory  of  these  pure  and 
noble  emotions  will  remain  with  every  soldier  till 
his  last  taps.  It  is  deeply  regretted  that  the  same 
wonderful  spirit  of  unity  and  unselfishness  passes 
with  peace.  War  demands  its  toll  in  men  and  money, 
but  the  nation  is  purified  in  its  travail. 

The  army  is  a  great  training  school.  The  great- 
est benefit  comes  perhaps  to  the  physique.  Life 
is  lived  in  the  open.  And  fortunate  indeed  is  the 
soldier  who  is  stationed  in  the  great  Southwest  or 
West,  where  life  is  lived  in  the  great  open,  with  its 
turbulent  changes  of  weather,  its  wonderful  sun- 
set pictures,  in  rugged  and  strange  country.  With 
few  exceptions,  all,  but  the  wounded,  left  the  service 
with  a  better  physique.  It  was  kill  or  cure.  And 
with  few  kills,  and  many  pills,  cures  were  permanent. 
For  no  matter  how  painful  the  ailment,  one  regu- 
lation pill  was  sure  to  convince  khaki  that  he  was 


FREDERICK  W.   FRANK 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  85 

on  the  rapid  road  to  rapid  recovery,  and  his  hap- 
piness needed  no  further  encouragement.  On  bar- 
gain days  at  sick  call,  old  sergeant  Sawbones  might 
often  say,  "What  'smatter?  Trench  feet?  Well, 
give  him  one  of  those  blue  pills,  we've  got  more 
of  them."  And  still  science  strolls  along  the  Giants' 
Causeway. 

But  to  the  youth  who  is  fagged  from  his  four 
years'  grind  at  high  school  or  college,  no  better  field 
could  be  chosen  than  the  army.  Even  a  year's 
enhstment  would  restore  a  man  as  the  fabled  foun- 
tain of  youth.  And  in  the  end,  he  would  advance 
just  as  far  even  though  his  start  in  business  was 
delayed. 

Perhaps  the  greatest  training  came  from  attend- 
ance at  the  officers'  training  schools.  There  were 
several  of  these  for  each  branch  scattered  over  the 
country.  Work  here  was  intensive.  It  was  hard. 
It  was  a  grind;  every  one  worked  hard,  ate  harder, 
and  slept  hardest.  But  it  was  interesting,  because 
it  was  different  from  the  dull  routine  of  old  buck 
private.  There  was  always  the  hope  of  one  day 
rating  a  salute,  and  perhaps  better  chow,  and  no 
infernal  demerits  to  haunt  hke  a  crime.  All  who 
have  been  through  the  mill,  will  agree  that  a 
three  months'  intensive  training  at  an  officers' 
training  school  is  the  last  word  in  preparation. 
One  of  the  anomalies  of  cadet  life  was  the  con- 
stant exhortation  to  conduct  one's  self  with  bear- 
ing and  dignity  becoming  an  officer,  yet  the  next 
breath  of  the  "looie"  would  have  the  company  doing 


86  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

"white  wing"  duty  sniping  butts.  But  it  was  worth 
it  all. 

Those  who  spent  their  time  plucking  cactus  from 
their  bunks  or  dodging  Texas  northers  will  recall 
with  a  smile  the  immense  patronage  accorded  the 
South  and  Southwest.  In  Texas  alone,  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  San  Antonio,  the  headquarters  of  the  Southern 
Department,  camps,  schools,  and  depots  of  every 
kind  were  maintained.  There  were  infantry  camps 
at  Travis,  aviation  at  Kelly  Field,  balloon  schools 
at  Camp  John  Wise.  Q.M.,  ordnance,  remount,  re- 
pair and  salvage  depots  as  well  as  officers'  training 
schools  of  all  branches  were  centered  around  historic 
old  San  Antonio.  And  last  of  all,  were  the  gallant 
S.A.T.C.  units.  As  Mr.  Murphy  said,  "Yes,  people 
are  dying  now,  who  never  died  before,"  so  too  youth, 
middle  age,  and  all  were  going  to  school  who  never 
went  before.  But  the  S.A.T.C.'s  should  not  be  ridi- 
culed. Had  the  war  lasted,  its  members  would  have 
received  their  war  crosses  as  well  as  the  marines  and 
doughboys.  The  first  officers'  training  schools  were 
sneered  at,  yet  its  graduates  have  their  war  crosses, 
and  others  are  in  French  soil.  The  depletion  of 
officer  material  was  the  justification  of  the  S.A.T.C. 
units.  And  its  purpose  was  to  enable  the  nation 
to  educate  men  and  still  supply  material  for  officers. 
Perhaps,  after  all,  it  was  but  wise  and  fair  to  place 
many  activities  in  the  South  to  enable  it  to  get  on 
its  feet,  for  it  is  only  today  that  the  South  is  recover- 
ing from  the  economic  effects  of  the  Civil  War. 

But    the  news  of   peace    sapped  the  spirits  of 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  87 

the  cadets.  After  that,  we  lost  our  punch.  It  was 
just  like  a  football  team  that  failed  to  come  through 
in  the  last  quarter.  At  the  ground  school  for  fliers 
at  the  University  of  Illinois,  for  months  the  cadets 
had  studied  the  maps  of  the  western  front,  and 
knew  every  kilometer;  had  even  calculated  to  a  day 
how  much  time  they  would  spend  at  flying  school, 
how  much  to  get  across,  how  long  at  the  advanced 
school,  and  knew  exactly  when  they  would  be  "sho 
nuf"  pilots  flying  over  the  hnes. 

At  two-thirty  one  morning  the  bell  clanged, 
noises  were  abroad,  and  the  whole  small  coflege 
town  behaved  most  indecorously,  not  at  aU  like  a 
good  little  prohibition  college  town.  The  little  town 
was  as  wild  as  a  little  town  could  be.  But  the  dream 
of  the  cadets  was  shattered.  While  the  muddy 
doughboy  in  France  bear-hugged  his  companion  at 
the  thought  of  coming  home,  and  the  sailors  spread 
from  Sweden  to  South  Africa  welcomed  the  good 
news,  and  the  slacker  had  his  prayer  answered,  yet 
there  was  many  a  cadet  lad  who  was  quiet  and  grave. 
For  months  it  had  been  his  dream  to  be  a  commander 
of  an  air  argosy.  He  recalled  the  anxious  weeks  of 
waiting,  perhaps  driUing  on  the  dusty  desert  of  Ari- 
zona. It  might  have  been  the  drudgery  of  heavy 
labor  in  the  cold  snows  of  Camp  Grant,  or  an  endless 
round  of  K.P.  He  had  taken  it  all.  Then  came  the 
examinations  for  admittance.  After  two  days  of 
strenuous  tests  he  passed.  Then  followed  an  anxious 
period  of  delay  or  waiting.  His  papers  might  have 
been  lost,  as  happened  in  many  cases.    He  might  have 


88  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

been  transferred.  Some  one  with  more  pull  might 
have  got  his  place  at  ground  school.  Yet  he  kept 
up  through  it  all.  And  all  for  what?  For  exemp- 
tion? No.  Merely  for  the  privilege  to  be  trained 
to  fight  and  die.  Yet  he  got  to  ground  school.  He 
recalled  the  stern,  incisive  words  of  reception  of  the 
hard-boiled  officer,  "You  fellows  will  do  as  you're 
told.  And  if  you  don't,  we'll  ride  you  till  your 
tongues  hang  out."  But  this  was  nothing.  Some 
day  he  would  fly.  That  was  enough.  Then  came  the 
course:  Early  rising;  tiresome  calisthenics;  hours  of 
lectures;  hours  of  drill.  Daily  was  every  cadet  in  turn 
"ridden."  It  was  part  of  the  system.  Nearer  was 
graduation.  The  demerits  pressed  on,  but  never  came 
abreast.  One  day  a  flier!  One  day  a  pilot!  And 
perhaps  one  day  an  ace!  That  was  the  cadet's 
dream.  Not  a  man  ever  attended  ground  school 
who  did  not  live  that  ideal,  for  none  was  drafted 
into  that  calling,  and  every  one  actually  had  to 
fight  hard  and  persistently  to  get  in.  That  was  his 
dream.  And  he  was  dreaming  that,  when  the  bells 
on  that  November  morn  shattered  it.  And  now 
you  can  understand  why  many  a  cadet  was  quiet 
and  grave. 

But  the  cadets  did  not  have  a  monoply  on 
ideals.  Every  man  in  every  branch  of  the  service 
had  them.  And  that  is  what  made  the  transition 
to  civilian  life  so  hard  sometimes.  You  can  not 
undo  the  work  of  a  year  in  a  day.  For  months,  the 
mind  of  the  nation  and  the  men  had  been  concen- 
trated on  fighting  and  winning,  and  it  took  more 


COMMERCE   IN   THE   WAR  89 

than  a  day  to  forget  that.  None  of  us  have  for- 
gotten nor  ever  will.  It  is  to  be  hoped  we  have 
merely  changed  our  objective  from  the  Huns  to 
success  in  peaceful  pursuits. 

The  day  of  the  soldier  in  war  has  its  many  bur- 
dens. But  that  one  brief  moment  at  retreat,  when 
the  entire  camp  stops  to  pay  its  tribute  to  the  flag 
as  it  is  tenderly  lowered  to  strong  arms  is  compen- 
sation for  the  drudgery  of  the  entire  day.  When 
the  heated  sun  pours  out  its  rivers  of  crimson  across 
a  Texas  desert,  and  sends  its  dying  shafts  through 
the  mad  dust  of  the  plains,  and  Old  Glory  is  lowered 
to  fond  arms  to  the  vigorous  notes  of  the  bugle,  the 
cares  of  the  day  vanish.  The  dream  of  what  is  back 
of  the  flag  flashes  into  the  mind  of  khaki.  Dead 
must  be  the  spirit  that  does  not  thrill  at  that  picture. 
Yes,  it  was  a  wonderful  experience,  and  worth  it  alL 


THE   SAILOR   IN   THE   WAR 


THE  SAILOR   IN   THE   WAR 

FRANK    S.    FRIEDMAN,  1917 

WITH  the  formula  "so  help  me  God"  at  the 
close  of  the  oath  of  allegiance  the  recruit 
bhthely  annulled  his  own  freedom  and 
thenceforth,  for  the  duration  of  the  war,  regarded 
himself  as  an  atom  in  the  vast  machine  directed 
against  Germany.  Usually,  however,  he  had  a 
period  of  grace,  and  returned  to  his  home  to  await 
the  call  for  active  duty.  During  the  period  extend- 
ing from  the  day  of  his  enlistment  to  the  summons 
to  camp  the  recruit  invariably  underwent  a  change. 
He  looked  with  contempt  upon  ordinary  civihan 
activity;  wondered  how  it  was  possible  for  him  to 
wait  so  long  before  enlisting;  strained  impatiently 
for  the  call  from  headquarters;  and  in  the  meantime 
did  his  utmost  to  spend  every  cent  he  could  lay 
hands  on,  in  order  to  have  what  he  called  "a  last 
good  time,"  for  he  felt  that  his  was  to  be  a  life  of 
privation,  of  sacrifice;  in  other  words,  he  conjured 
up  a  proverbial  hero  whose  role  he  was  to  play. 
But,  though  unwittingly,  he  was  often  right. 

A  reception  committee  composed  of  sailors  of 
from  three  days'  to  two  weeks'  standing  greeted 
the  new  draft  of  men  as  they  entered  the  training 

93 


94  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

camp.  Upon  the  faces  of  the  members  of  this  com- 
mittee there  rested  an  affected  look  of  nautical 
experience,  of  extreme  "saltiness,"  and  of  briny 
"hardness"  —  in  some  cases,  however,  entirely  natu- 
ral, although  not  from  exposure  to  brine.  In  three 
days  the  rookie  of  today  became  part  of  the  audience 
watching  the  arrival  of  the  new  batch  of  men,  and 
felt  as  "salty"  as  a  jack  who  has  completed  three 
enlistments  in  the  regulars.  With  the  manner  of  a 
thirty-third  degree  member  he  undertook  to  initiate 
the  novice  into  the  awfulness  and  terror  of  life  in 
the  Navy.  Nothing  was  easier,  for  it  required  only 
about  four  hours  to  make  a  man  believe  himself  a 
regular  sailor;  he  arrived  at  camp  about  noon  and 
late  in  the  afternoon  reported  at  quarters  in  his 
new  outfit  —  trousers  baggy  and  unusually  cool 
around  the  ankles,  blouse  strangely  loose  and  un- 
comfortable, shoes  feeling  like  clod-hoppers,  and  the 
position  and  shape  of  his  white  hat  giving  every 
old  timer  (of  three  days'  standing)  just  cause  for 
laughter. 

But  it  did  not  take  the  rookie  long  to  find  him- 
self in  his  new  clothes  (and  incidentally  to  learn 
what  a  terrible  infliction  is  the  stiff"  collar  of  civil- 
ian dress),  to  learn  at  what  angle  to  wear  his  white 
hat  and  how  to  crease  it,  and  how  to  make  a  sea- 
going knot  in  his  tie.  Within  a  short  time  he  ac- 
quired what  he  thought  was  the  professional  expres- 
sion and  gait,  and  never  failed  to  have  a  package 
of  Lucky  Strike  cigarettes  showing  from  his  blouse 
pocket  —  except,  of  course,  at  inspection.     But  be- 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  95 

sides  all  this,  after  being  in  camp  for  a  week  or  two 
he  learned  to  work  at  hard,  dirty,  and  unpleasant 
tasks,  and  to  feel  it  high  time  that  he  was  leaving 
the  "dry  land  ship"  and  putting  out  to  sea  where  he 
could  get  the  thing  for  which  he  enHsted:  namely, 
sea  experience,  a  shot  at  the  subs,  and  perhaps  a 
dose  of  seasickness.  At  camp  the  recruit  had  per- 
formed duties  varying  from  those  of  Captain's 
orderly  to  those  of  scrubber  of  the  chiefs'  hammocks 
under  the  direction  of  a  contemptible  coxswain  who 
assumed  the  high  and  mighty  imperiousness  of  an 
admiral.  After  two  weeks  or  more  the  rookie  became 
extremely  restless  and  looked  enviously  upon  the 
outgoing  drafts  of  men,  and  hoped  that  when  his 
time  for  departure  came  he  would  not  get  another 
unfortunate  land  assignment,  for  a  Navy  man  de- 
tested being  a  "land  sailor,"  just  as  much  as  a  soldier 
disliked  being  a  home  soldier  while  most  men  around 
him  were  being  sent  abroad.  This  applied  par- 
ticularly to  the  Naval  Reservist  who,  in  the  face  of 
many  gruesome  and  discouraging  tales  concerning 
the  gob's  hfe  at  sea,  persisted  in  his  keen  desire  to 
go  aboard  ship. 

Of  course,  it  is  not  at  all  surprising  if  after  being 
out  to  sea  for  a  length  of  time,  the  sailor  should  have 
prayed  for  transfer  back  to  shore,  or  that  he  should 
have  welcomed  his  ship's  being  "popped"  by  a  sub 
so  that  he  might  have  at  least  a  short  sojourn  on 
land  until  he  got  another  sea  assignment.  Four 
hours  of  sleep  a  night  and  the  work  of  a  dozen  slaves 
during  the  remaining  hours  of  the  day  do  not  en- 


96  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

courage  a  love  for  the  sea.  Add  to  that,  the  meager- 
ness  of  the  few  hours  of  liberty  when  the  gob  did 
at  last  reach  port,  and  the  frequent  deprivation  of 
liberty  which  he  suffered  at  the  hands  of  a  crabbed 
executive  or  captain  who  was  overcome  by  an  ex- 
aggerated sense  of  discipline,  and  you  have  the 
experiences  which  attenuate  the  romantic  lure  of 
the  sea.  Not  infrequently  a  man  did  not  set  foot 
upon  sohd  ground  for  several  months  at  a  time,  for 
(and  I  refer  here  especially  to  the  transport  service) 
ships  often  remained  at  sea  twenty-five  days  out 
of  every  month.  Hence  a  man  deprived  of  Hberty 
on  a  single  trip  did  not  touch  land  for  two  months. 
The  joy  of  walking  along  the  streets  of  a  large  city, 
of  seeing  a  stream  of  new  faces,  of  meeting  and  talk- 
ing to  civiHans  can  be  experienced  only  by  him  who 
has  been  shut  up  for  weeks  in  a  tiny  shell  on  the 
boundless  sea  with  nothing  to  look  upon  but  the 
monotonous  faces  of  his  mates,  the  monotonous  dark 
blue  of  the  ocean,  and  the  monotonous  hght  blue 
of  the  sky.  How,  then,  can  a  stroll  ashore,  a  meal 
off  a  table  cloth,  help  being  a  delight!  The  sea 
makes  of  seafarers  —  as  inexperience  makes  of  chil- 
dren —  immature,  simple  creatures  with  the  un- 
restraint of  babies. 

The  duties  of  the  enlisted  man,  and  also  of  the 
commissioned  officer,  were  anything  but  pleasant, 
nor  were  they  of  the  spectacular  type  which  calls 
forth  the  plaudits  of  movie  audiences.  They  were 
tedious,  dirty,  difficult  and  wearisome.  The  seaman 
scrubbed  and  painted  and  polished  all  day;  the  cook 


ROBERT   PETTS 


COMMERCE   IN   THE   WAR  97 

sweated  in  the  galley;  the  fireman  roasted  his  body 
in  that  inhuman  inferno,  the  boiler  room,  —  all 
this  for  a  large  part  of  the  twenty-four  hours. 
After  that  did  the  men  "turn  in"  and  rest  up? 
No,  not  in  this  war  with  so  much  to  be  done.  After 
the  performance  of  regular  duties,  they  —  whether 
cook,  yeoman,  gunner,  or  anything  else  —  had  to 
go  on  night  and  day  look-out  watches.  And  to 
their  conscientiousness  in  scanning  the  sea  with  their 
binoculars  we  owe  the  happily  low  number  of  sink- 
ings suffered  by  American  ships.  It  is  not  unusual 
or  surprising  then  that  men  actually  rejoiced  over 
being  put  into  the  brig  for  any  length  of  time,  even 
on  bread  and  water.  There,  at  least,  they  could 
reduce  the  debit  side  of  their  sleep  account. 

This  everlasting  occupation,  nevertheless,  had 
its  value.  It  gave  the  men  absolutely  no  time  to 
think  about  the  dangers  which  might  confront  them, 
or  to  pray  that  they  might  finish  the  trip  in  safety. 
There  was  no  time  to  think  of  anything  but  the  com- 
pletion of  the  work  at  hand.  Thus  grew  up  a  feeling 
of  complete  indifference  to  everything  but  the  loss 
of  sleep.  They  looked  upon  peril  as  part  of  the  day's 
work,  and  if  the  ship  was  hit,  then  the  thing  to  do 
was  to  get  off  safely  as  a  matter  of  routine  duty. 
Mad  scrambles  and  desperation  were  unknown. 
When  the  "President  Lincoln"  was  torpedoed,  a  gob 
calmly  read  the  "Blue  Book"  in  his  lifeboat  as  the 
ship  was  sinking  while  he  waited  for  his  mates  to 
shde  down  the  Hfe  lines.  Another  survivor  from 
the  same  ship  in  one  boat  with  the  Chaplain,  re- 


98  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

sponded  to  the  latter's  assurance  that  the  Lord  was 
still  with  them:  "Then  give  him  an  oar  and  let 
him  pull  with  us."  Such  buoyancy  in  the  face  of 
disaster  was  common. 

Not  only  were  men  buoyant,  but  they  were  loyal 
and  devoted.  When  some  thirty  men  were  pulped 
into  jelly  by  a  torpedo  in  the  boiler  room  of  the 
**Mt.  Vernon,"  a  Httle  water  tender  resolutely  clung 
to  his  condensers  until  ordered  to  leave.  Later  when 
the  incident  was  referred  to,  this  man,  who  had  seen 
eighteen  years  of  service  in  the  Navy,  said  in  a  most 
unaffacted  and  casual  manner:  "Aw,  that's  nothin*; 
all  in  the  day's  work;    gotta  expect  them  things." 

On  the  whole,  the  sailor  led  in  this  war  a  life  of 
ceaseless  toil  under  extreme  difficulties,  seldom  in 
contact  with  civilization,  surrounded  by  unheeded 
dangers,  performing  duties  unhesitatingly,  and  filled 
with  implicit  faith  in  the  ability  of  American  in- 
genuity and  courage  to  defeat  the  sub.  That  life 
was  known  about  only  by  those  who  knew  the  sailor, 
and  experienced  only  by  the  seamen  who  lived  it. 
Said  one  "I  wouldn't  give  a  nickle  to  live  through 
it  again,  but  I  wouldn't  take  a  million  for  my  ex- 
periences." 


IMPRESSIONS -POST  AND   POSTED 


IMPRESSIONS— POST  AND   POSTED 

DONALD    BRIEN,  1912 

ALMOST  everybody  jots  down  notes  these  days 
in  a  more  or  less  progressive  form,  and  if 
these  scribblings,  crab-wise,  go  backwards  it 
is  not  with  the  intention  of  being  original. 

The  commotion  caused  by  the  sinking  of  the  Irish 
mail  steamer  Leinster  a  few  weeks  ago  not  far  from 
Dubhn  on  her  way  to  Holyhead,  and  the  loss  of 
587  men,  women  and  children,  has  been  the  greatest 
since  the  ill-fated  Lusitania  victims  were  brought 
into  Queenstown  for  burial.  Even  that  incident 
failed  to  arouse  the   Irish  as  this  latter  did. 

I  came  across  the  Irish  Sea  on  this  same  steamer 
last  April.  These  mail  boats  are  very  fast  and  up 
till  then  were  unescorted.  No  doubt  several  hundred 
bags  of  mail  went  down  on  her. 

The  morning  it  happened  we  were  out  on  patrol 
duty,  having  left  Liverpool  fairly  early.  We  picked 
up  the  S.O.S.  and  the  position  reports,  later  getting 
orders  to  proceed  at  utmost  speed  to  aid  in  picking 
up  survivors.  We  were  not  near  enough  to  get  to 
the  spot  under  two  hours  and  the  English  destroyers 
and  trawlers  had  done  all  they  could. 

We  were  assigned  to  escort  the  mail  steamer  on 


102  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

the  next  few  trips,  another  boat  relieving  us  later 
on.  We  passed  a  round  score  of  floating  bodies 
during  the  course  of  the  day. 

It  is  really  hard  to  understand  just  why  more 
were  not  saved,  although  it  is  possible  that  some  of 
the  boats  were  put  out  of  commission  at  once. 
These  Irish  mail  boats  make  the  dash  from  Kings- 
town port  for  Dublin,  to  Holyhead  in  about  two 
hours,  zigagging  all  the  way  and  scorning  any  other 
escort  than  the  occasional  silvery  dirigible  hovering 
above. 

With  the  excitement  of  the  Leinster  still  in  mind 
and  with  the  immediate  prospect  of  patrol  duty  for 
the  next  three  or  four  days,  we  suddenly  got  orders 
to  proceed  to  Berehaven,  away  down  in  the  south- 
west corner  of  Ireland.  The  orders  were  unusual  in 
that  they  said  to  refuel  and  keep  in  readiness  to 
get  under  way. 

As  it  is  not  a  port  from  which  convoys  leave,  the 
only  thing  we  thought  of  was  that  three  of  our  battle- 
ships were  lying  there.  Immediately  the  rumors  took 
wings.  The  German  fleet  was  coming  out  and  we 
were  to  help  escort  the  big  battlewagons  to  the  North 
Sea.    Splendid ! 

Second  best  was  that  German  raiders  had  been 
met  and  that  an  engagement  was  imminent!  Pretty 
good. 

Arriving  at  Berehaven  our  hearts  did  give  a  jump 
to  see  the  big  boys  weighing  anchors  with  steam  up. 
Also  quite  a  bunch  of  our  destroyers  at  the  rendez- 
vous.    Now  anything  was  plausible  and  we  assured 


COMMERCE   IN  THE   WAR  103 

ourselves  that  the  real  thing  was  close  at  hand,  for 
you  know  down  deep  in  our  hearts  above  all  we  pray 
for  a  chance  to  exchange  shots  with  a  visible  enemy. 
Peppering  the  sneaky  submarine  is  truly  exciting, 
yet  the  other  thing  is  never  quite  gone  from  our 
hopes. 

A  submarine  came  to  the  surface  and  attacked 
an  aeroplane  the  other  day,  which  was  fruit  for  them 
of  course.  If  one  would  only  show  his  nose  to  us 
and  open  fire!    This  is  off  the  track,  though. 

At  dusk  we  all  got  under  way,  still  without 
definite  word  of  where,  when,  and  why.  When  I 
came  on  watch  at  midnight  only  one  thing  was 
certain;  from  the  sound  of  the  shore  stations  we 
were  headed  west. 

Morning  brought  a  saner  guess,  which  noon 
verified. 

Only  out  for  a  convoy,  this  time  a  large  troop 
convoy. 

And  the  battlewagons?  Perhaps  raiders  were 
feared,  perhaps  we  only  had  them  out  for  an  airing. 
Who  knows?  When  we  were  abreast  of  their  base 
on  the  return  trip,  they  turned  and  steamed  off. 

Now  a  large  troop  convoy  naturally  awakens 
every  nerve  you  have,  the  responsibihty  is  greater 
than  ever,  as  is,  too,  one's  sense  of  the  protection 
due  our  own  men  as  compared  with  cargoes  of  food- 
stuffs or  freight  of  any  nature. 

This  time  they  were  all  large  ships  and  by  day 
we  could  see  them  massed  on  deck,  each  boat  evi- 
dently holding  all  it  could.    Then,  too,  twice  we  had 


104  THE  HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

to  haul  the  flag  to  half  mast  while  burials  at  sea 
were  taking  place;  more  victims  of  the  world-wide 
epidemic. 

Just  one  more  thing  about  this  trip. 

We  were  up  in  the  Irish  Sea,  only  six  hours  out 
of  Liverpool,  when  I  came  on  watch  at  midnight. 
Nothing  in  particular  was  going  on  even  in  that 
haunt  of  the  sub.  I  remember  I  was  copying  a  land 
station  when  suddenly  and  near  by  a  loud  note 
started  the  most  thrilling  signal  that  comes  to  us 
out  of  the  air!  "S.O.S.  S.O.S.  S.O.S.  Adriatic 
Torpedoed!" 

Midnight  on  a  dark  night.  The  largest  troop 
ship  in  the  bunch,  with  probably  three  or  four  thou- 
sand boys  to  be  plunged  into  the  icy  water,  de- 
stroyers rushing  around  at  thirty  knots,  dropping 
depth  charges!  Can  you  conjure  up  anything  more 
horrible? 

A  double  explosion  had  preceded  the  signal  of 
distress  only  by  a  minute,  so  that  everybody  was 
aroused  at  once,  and  emergency  procedure  adopted. 

Then  in  a  few  minutes  great  was  my  joy  when  I 
copied:  **  Cancel  Adriatic  Torpedoed." 

What  the  explosion  could  have  been  is  something 
we  have  not  yet  been  able  to  find  out,  nor  solve  by 
guessing.  It  may  be  that  she  struck  a  sub  that  in- 
tended coming  up  in  the  middle  of  the  convoy  as 
they  sometimes  do  to  fire,  or  maybe  a  ship  thought 
she  sighted  a  periscope  and  dropped  depth  charges. 
Anyhow,  early  the  next  morning  we  left  them  lying 
safe  in  the  Mersey  basin  and,  turning,  left  to  hurry 
back  to  Base  Six. 


GEORGE   KLINE 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  105 

And  so  it  goes.  You  never  know  what  to  expect 
nor  what  may  happen  in  the  coming  minute.  Some- 
times the  best,  often  the  worst,  generally  the  usual. 
Not  often,  though,  such  a  worstbest  combination 
for  a  thriller. 


Being  an  oil-burner,  this  packet  can't  very  well 
carry  coals  to  Newcastle,  but  a  short  while  ago  we 
did,  figuratively,  when  we  had  orders  to  proceed  to 
Waterford  and  oil  an  oiler  that  was  stranded  in  that 
port  for  lack  of  fuel-oil. 

There  is  always  interest  in  a  new  port  and  this 
was  a  Httle  out  of  the  way  and  hence  one  that  we 
would  hardly  ever  have  gone  into  otherwise. 

The  town  lay  several  miles  up  a  narrow  river 
winding  through  the  greenest  country  ever  eyes  did 
see.  If  there  is  anything  much  prettier  than  one  of 
these  Irish  landscapes- — sohd  masses  of  green  with 
httle  white  single-story  houses  tucked  in  now  and  then 
to  reheve  the  color  scheme  of  slope  and  hedge — ^I 
certainly  want  some  day  to  see  it.     I  have  not  yet. 

The  town,  eventually  reached  after  miles  of  this 
prosperous  valley  with  its  farms  and  its  manor  houses 
and  even  glimpses  of  a  ruined  castle,  lay  largely 
along  the  river  front,  giving  a  good  impression  and 
a  contrasting  one,  with  its  modern  hotels  and  ware- 
houses. 

After  we  had  oiled  the  ship  I  mentioned,  we  were 
given  hberty  and  at  5 130  we  proceeded,  each  accord- 
ing to  his  inchnation,  to  see  the  place.     My  being 


io6  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

on  watch  kept  me  from  going  until  dark  and  then 
everything  but  the  hotels  was  closed. 

It  has  been  said,  and  very  truly,  that  a  sailor  can 
always  eat,  and  a  meal  ashore  is  generally  in  order. 
Waterford  has  a  permanent  place  in  our  affections, 
due  to  her  very  generous,  juicy,  and  well-served 
steaks,  as  well  as  a  true  sense  of  humor  in  serving 
the  "chips,"  as  they  call  the  French-fried  in  this 
part  of  the  world. 


On  Sunday  the  first  of  September  we  found  our- 
selves outward  bound  from  Liverpool  with  a  convoy 
of  about  twelve  empty  ships  bound  for  various  parts 
of  the  States  and  Canada.  We  had  left  Liverpool 
late  the  previous  afternoon  and  contrary  to  the 
custom  had  a  mixed  escort  consisting  of  a  number 
of  small,  junky-looking  little  Limey  boats  and  the 
two  destroyers,  the  "  Aylwin "  and  the  "  Beale." 
The  "Aylwin"  was  the  S.O.P.  as  we  call  it,  or  Senior 
Officer  Present. 

As  it  was  a  slow  convoy,  about  nine  knots  an 
hour,  the  other  little  boats  were  able  to  keep  up 
well  enough,  but  we  all  remarked  that  a  sub  would 
have  an  easy  chance  to  pick  off  a  few  without  much 
danger  of  getting  caught  himself,  simply  by  watch- 
ing the  two  destroyers. 

I  had  the  eight  to  twelve  watch  that  day  and 
afetr  the  chow  was  over  I  turned  into  my  bunk  with 
a  magazine.  Very,  very  seldom  had  we  seen  any 
calmer  sea  or  clearer  day  up  in  the  Irish  Sea. 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  107 

I  fell  asleep  over  my  magazine,  for  the  first  thing 
I  remember  was  being  pulled  by  the  foot,  and  awoke 
to  see  Spear  and  the  rest  of  our  little  crowd  getting 
down  on  deck  in  a  hurry.  There  had  been  a  loud 
explosion  so  near  to  us  that  there  was  no  need  to 
sound  the  general  alarm  bell,  as  we  were  already  on 
the  move. 

My  station  at  general  quarters  was  to  relieve  the 
decoder  on  watch,  a  station  which  of  course  pre- 
vented me  from  seeing  as  much  as  the  rest. 

No  sooner  had  I  reached  the  radio  shack  and 
taken  over  the  watch  when  the  explosion  occurred 
once  more.  Having  no  message,  I  opened  the  door 
and  looked  out.  There  not  over  two  hundred  yards 
from  us  was  a  ship  torpedoed  amidships,  with  that 
part  already  partly  submerged. 

Now  of  course  all  this  had  happened  within  two 
minutes'  time,  and  in  a  flash  it  was  brought  home 
to  us  what  the  menace  of  the  sub  was. 

From  our  own  fan-tail  now  depth  charges  were 
being  dropped  and  we  were  making  thirty  knots  and 
circling  around  in  an  eff"ort  to  get  just  one  glimpse 
of  that  devil's  periscope.  The  man  who  had  the 
phones  on  asked  me  to  take  his  place  for  a  second 
so  that  he  might  take  a  picture  of  the  ship  before 
she  sank.  I  let  him  go  ahead  and  just  had  the 
phones  on  my  head  when  the  operator's  S.O.S. 
started,  and  such  a  jumble  you  never  heard  in  all 
your  life.  It  is  nothing  for  a  man  in  an  emergency 
to  lose  his  entire  nerve  for  a  minute,  and  just  hear- 
ing this  frantic  sending  was  a  terrible  experience. 


ro8  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Then  he  steadied  and  it  was  readable,  the  call  for 
aid  and  the  position  of  the  ship. 

The  other  radio  man  came  back  and  said  that 
another  ship  as  well  had  been  hit  and  that  she  was 
going  down  even  quicker.  The  look  I  got  was 
enough.  There  away  on  the  sky  hne  stood  out  in 
gigantic  rehef  a  huge  ship  tilted  right  up  on  end 
with  her  bow  straight  down,  her  engines  still  going 
and  the  propeller  whirling  at  a  fearful  rate.  In 
a  few  minutes  you  had  to  rub  your  eyes  and  wonder 
if  it  had  not  all  been  a  nightmare.  There  was  no 
more  ship. 

In  an  attempt  to  launch  one  of  our  small  boats 
something  had  given  away  and  as  I  looked  out  of 
the  port  I  saw  two  of  our  own  men  in  the  water 
and  beyond  them  a  panorama  of  desolation  itself. 
Away  in  the  distance  the  rest  of  the  convoy  and 
the  other  destroyer  were  making  knots  and  zig- 
zagging at  full  speed,  and  directly  on  our  starboard 
beam,  the  last  of  the  "City  of  Glasgow,"  the  first 
to  be  hit,  was  submerging.  Between  her  and  us, 
the  floor  of  the  sea  (as  calm  as  ever  you  would 
see  it)  was  a  hteral  mess  of  men  and  boys  in  the 
water,  Hfeboats,  rafts  and  every  sort  of  debris  that 
would  float. 

By  now  the  messages  began  to  come  in  as  fast 
as  they  could  be  copied  and  decoded,  all  of  them 
position  reports  and  orders  from  the  S.O.P. 

I  was  too  busy  to  see  the  survivors  being  picked 
up,  but  I  could  hear  the  shouts  of  the  officers  and 
saw  the  dripping  figures  as  they  passed  the  door  of 


COMMERCE   IN   THE   WAR  109 

the  shack.  Shortly  afterwards  the  regular  decoder 
came  back  and  I  was  free.  All  over  the  ship  were 
httle  groups  telling  of  what  was  going  on  the  minute 
they  were  hit  and  what  their  experiences  were 
directly  afterwards.  A  few  had  been  saved  from  the 
other  ship,  the  "Mesaba,"  but  very  few,  and  many 
of  them  had  been  cut  to  bits  by  the  whirhng  pro- 
peller when  one  of  the  boats  ran  too  near  and  was 
sucked  back. 

The  last  that  was  seen  of  the  Captain  was  when 
he  yelled  to  the  last  boatload,  "Take  it  cool,  boys." 

I  lent  the  gunner's  mate  from  this  ship  some  dry 
clothes  and  he  told  me  of  seeing  a  torpedo  wake 
coming  and  giving  warning,  but  it  was  too  late  to 
swing  the  ship.  It  struck  on  the  port  side,  smashing 
all  the  hfeboats  at  the  time.  A  second  one  hit,  way 
forward,  flooding  the  forward  compartments  and 
hence  dipping  her  down  suddenly. 

A  number  of  the  men  saved  were  Lascars  and 
they  were  very  grateful.  At  a  loss  to  express  them- 
selves in  our  tongue,  all  they  could  do  was  to  grab 
and  kiss  the  hand  of  the  officer  that  had  managed 
to  save  them  at  the  last  minute  by  getting  his  boat 
right  up  under  the  stern  before  it  sank  for  good. 
One  of  them  was  cut  by  the  propeller  and  only 
lived  a  few  hours,  muttering  a  constant  stream  of 
"Allah,  Allah,  Allah." 

Nobody  wanted  to  eat  that  night  and  the  work 
of  the  afternoon  was  the  only  thing  we  could  talk 
about.  As  far  as  was  known,  the  submarine  was 
never  seen  although  the  other   destroyer  dropped 


no  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

seventy-three  depth  charges  and  we  dropped  a  dozen 
or  so.  Unless  you  see  a  suspicious  wake  there  is 
no  chance  in  creation  of  getting  the  sub  except  by 
pure  luck,  letting  go  a  "can"  in  the  right  spot. 
Every  advantage  is  with  the  sub  as  a  rule. 

About  seven  o'clock  that  evening  all  of  a  sudden 
there  was  another  boom,  followed  by  the  sound  of 
some  ship  dropping  depth  charges.  Again  we  took 
our  emergency  stations  and  again  it  was  full  speed 
ahead  and  every  eye  strained  to  see  the  offender  or 
any  trace  of  him. 

This  time  my  station  was  back  by  the  after 
steering  gear  where  I  could  see  everything.  The 
sea  was  rougher,  and  as  we  ploughed  through  it, 
enormous  waves  drenched  us,  but  there  was  no 
thought  of  that  now.  Get  a  sub!  We  would  have 
given  our  right  arms  for  the  sight  of  that  monster 
which  had  clearly  followed  us  and  taken  another 
shot. 

Soon  it  was  evident  which  ship  had  got  it  this 
time,  as  we  saw  the  stern  of  one  high  out  of  the 
water  with  the  propeller  almost  entirely  out.  She 
immediately  turned  off  towards  land  and  left  us  to 
avenge  her,  but  with  no  greater  success  than  before 
and  for  the  same  reasons.  Mr.  Sub  had  simply 
dropped  as  far  down  as  he  could  and  was  lying  on 
the  bottom,  but  where?  With  so  many  ships  in  the 
vicinity,  Hstening  for  the  pecuhar  sound  of  his  pro- 
pellers was  out  of  the  question.  Besides,  that  would 
have  meant  our  stopping,  the  last  thing  on  earth  to 
do  then. 


EDMUND   B.   ABOTT 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  iii 

After  a  pretty  hard  time  of  it,  this  last  ship 
managed  to  make  her  way  into  Milford  Haven. 
She,  the  "Acton,"  was  the  luckiest  of  the  three 
that  day. 

Although  there  must  have  been  fifty  or  more  of 
the  radio  messages  exchanged,  not  a  word  ever  crept 
into  the  press. 

We  continued  with  the  ships  to  the  usual  parting 
place,  about  fifteen  degrees  West,  then  turned  and 
steamed  for  Queenstown. 


The  armistice  has  been  signed  and  although 
that  is  not  peace  in  name,  still  everyone  knows  that 
virtually  it  is  over.  Last  night  in  the  bright  moon- 
light I  had  a  view  of  the  harbor  here,  and  the  many 
silhouetted  trawlers,  minesweepers  and  men-of-war 
in  the  harbor  made  a  striking  reminder  that  for 
many  of  them  it  has  been  an  interminable  four 
years  of  suffering  and  hardship,  eternal  and  soul- 
wearying  vigilance  to  ward  off  actual  famine  or 
worse. 

We  are  yet  comparatively  new  at  it,  but  what 
a  great  rehef  it  must  have  been  to  them  (judging 
by  our  own  feehngs)  to  know  that  it  was  at  last 
at  an  end. 


THE  COUNTER  ATTACK  AT 

CHATEAU-THIERRY 

YD 


THE  COUNTER  ATTACK  AT 

CH ATE  AU-TH I  ERR  Y 

YD 

WILLIAM  C.  PINKHAM  'I7  (One  oj  the  Ttvenly-Sixtb) 

IT  was  on  the  first  day  of  July,  19 18,  that  we 
moved  into  reserve  at  Chateau-Thierry,  after 
having  seen  five  previous  months*  service  on  the 
Chemin-des-Dames  and  Toul  sectors. 

Here  we  lay  in  the  woods,  until  the  night  of  the 
fifth,  and  then  one  regiment  after  another  took  up 
its  place  in  the  line  which  the  Second  (U.S.)  Division 
had  held  so  well.  It  was  not  long  before  we  discov- 
ered that  we  had  come  to  a  sector  far  different 
from  any  we  had  ever  seen  before;  for  there  were 
no  trenches  here  (unless  one  were  to  classify  that 
miserable  httle  ditch  that  ran  along  the  edge  of 
the  Bois-de-Belleau  as  one),  and  as  far  as  the  eye 
could  see,  one  could  observe  nothing  but  clumps  of 
trees  and  row  upon  row  of  wheatfields.  Here,  sure 
enough,  was  open  warfare. 

Of  course,  it  was  seen  that  some  sort  of  defences 
and  obstructions  was  essential;  and  night  after  night 
was  spent  stringing  barbed  wire  entanglements  and 
building  a  sort  of  makeshift  trench,  which  at  no 
time  exceeded  three  feet  in  depth.  This  was  very 
nerve-racking  work,  for  all  through  the  night  Fritzie 
kept  sending  over  a  mixture  of  H.E.  (high  explosive) 

"5 


ii6  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

88's,  77's,  and  gas,  all  of  which  took  their  toll.  As 
fast  as  a  man  dropped  to  the  ground,  he  was  picked 
up  and  carried  to  the  dressing  station  on  a  stretcher. 
One  particular  night  I  shall  always  remember,  for 
we  had  a  man  from  Ohio  go  mad,  and  several  others 
afflicted  with  a  temporary  nervous  breakdown.  Dur- 
ing the  day  we  slept  as  best  we  could,  in  the  little 
gravelike  holes  in  the  ground  which  we  had  dug 
as  a  protection  from  flying  shrapnel. 

While  no  one  knew  it  at  the  time,  the  German 
offensive,  that  had  been  stopped  in  June,  was  to  be 
resumed  not  later  than  July  15.  Fritzie  had  kept 
up  a  heavy  artillery  fire  ever  since  our  introduction 
to  the  sector,  and  our  casualties  had  been  heavy; 
but  we  had  attributed  all  his  movements  to  nothing 
more  than   the   activities   of  a  wide-awake   sector. 

About  four  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  fif- 
teenth, they  started  their  advance,  in  that  part  of 
the  line  held  by  the  loist.  Through  a  misunder- 
standing, they  were  allowed  to  take  up  their  positions 
in  the  town  of  Vaux;  but  as  soon  as  their  identity 
and  location  were  discovered,  the  American  artillery 
laid  over  a  box  barrage  shutting  them  off  from  re- 
inforcements, and  the  boys  of  the  loist  went  over 
to  give  them  a  little  of  their  own  medicine.  How 
well  they  succeeded  is  now  an  old  story,  and  the 
Boche  once  more  fell  back  to  his  old  positions. 

The  long-Iooked-for  opportunity  for  a  successful 
counter-attack  had  presented  itself  at  last,  and  word 
was  passed  down  from  G.H.Q.,  to  the  Corps,  Divi- 
sional, and  Regimental  Commanders,  to  make  imme- 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  117 

diate  preparations  for  an  advance.  (We  buck  pri- 
vates, of  course,  were  unaware  of  all  this  except 
that  we  had  a  "hunch"  that  something  big  was 
coming  off.)  Late  in  the  evening  of  the  seventeenth, 
the  artillery  started  their  barrage,  and  shortly  after- 
wards Old  Jupe  Pluvius  began  his  as  an  accom- 
paniment. A  check  was  taken  of  all  the  men,  and 
our  first  and  second  platoons  were  assigned  to  go 
"over  the  top"  with  the  104th.  About  this  time, 
the  rain  was  coming  fairly  hard  and  things  were 
beginning  to  be  rather  disagreeable,  for  it  was  almost 
impossible  to  see  a  hand  in  front  of  one's  face. 

The  noise  from  the  barrage  our  artillery  was 
sending  over  was  terrific,  and  conditions  altogether 
were  a  fitting  prelude  to  an  event  which  was  to 
make  world  history.  Promptly  at  4:30  o'clock,  the 
zero  hour,  the  loist,  i02d,  and  103d,  went  "over 
the  top"  and  gained  their  objectives. 

Here  we  stopped,  the  line  now  reaching  from 
Monthiers,  to  Torcy,  to  the  Bois-de-Belleau.  The 
French  had  found  considerable  difficulty  in  taking 
their  objective,  and  accordingly  we  were  held  up 
until  the  following  afternoon.  To  the  Engineers 
fell  the  task  of  strengthening  our  positions,  carrying 
the  wounded  and  burying  the  dead.  Only  one  who 
has  engaged  in  this  work  can  appreciate  just  how 
repulsive  it  is.  In  fact,  the  odor,  at  times,  was 
so  nauseating,  that  we  found  it  necessary  to  use 
our  gas  masks.  We  were  not  even  left  alone  when 
we  attempted  to  get  our  wounded  in  off  the  field 
that  represented  No  Man's  Land.     The  instant  one 


ii8  THE   HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

of  us  put  in  an  appearance  outside  of  our  lines, 
Fritzie  opened  up  with  machine  guns  and  one- 
pounders.  We  worked  all  the  rest  of  that  after- 
noon, and  about  one  half  the  night,  before  we  man- 
aged to  get  all  the  boys  that  had  a  chance  to  pull 
through,  back  to  the  first  aid  stations. 

The  next  morning  (July  19)  we  received  quite 
a  bit  of  shelling,  but  as  soon  as  our  batteries  opened 
up,  the  Boche  batteries  were  silenced.  Then  the 
word  was  passed  along  that  attack  was  due  to  begin 
again  —  probably  about  noon  —  with  the  objective 
thirteen  kilometres  away.  The  barrage  that  had 
been  ordered  proved  to  be  little  more  than  the 
dropping  of  a  few  shells  on  machine  gun  nests,  but 
regardless  of  that  fact,  the  first  wave  "went  over"  at 
about  one  thirty  in  the  afternoon.  Only  a  dozen  of 
them  reached  the  bottom  of  the  hill,  for  the  machine 
guns  cut  them  down  like  wheat.  The  Boches  upon 
seeing  the  effect  of  their  fire  came  out  to  meet  them; 
but  as  the  second  wave  was  following  very  closely 
they  seemed  to  reconsider  their  first  impulse  and 
fell  back  to  their  positions. 

Just  about  that  time  the  long  delayed  American 
barrage  arrived  and  the  curtain  of  fire  swept  Fritzie 
out  of  his  position  and  forced  him  slowly  but  surely 
backward.  From  there  on,  for  five  or  six  kilometres, 
practically  no  resistance  was  offered  (with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  few  machine  gun  nests),  but  upon 
getting  into  the  country  again,  the  Boche  made 
another  stand.  After  a  httle  hot  work,  "Jerry" 
was   once   more   started   on   his   journey,   and   four 


COMMERCE   IN  THE   WAR  119 

more  kilometres  were  taken.  Then  it  seemed  as 
though  the  backbone  of  the  drive  had  been  broken, 
for  three  successive  attacks  failed  to  dislodge  the 
Hun  from  his  position  in  the  woods  and  plateau, 
outside  of  the  towns  of  Epieds  and  Trugny.  Our 
platoon  had  been  assigned  to  the  103d  Infantry, 
and  we  now  fell  back  for  orders  on  how  to  proceed. 
From  where  we  lay  in  the  ravine,  we  could  see  the 
wounded  coming  in,  one  after  another,  and  as  con- 
siderable gas  was  being  thrown  over,  it  was  found 
necessary  to  put  gas  masks  on  the  boys  on  the 
stretchers.  A  few  minutes  later  we  had  orders  to 
move  forward  once  more.  For  perhaps  a  half  hour 
we  hiked  in  single  file  through  the  woods  with  the 
machine  guns  and  artillery  working  all  around  us. 
The  Boches  were  also  very  active  in  the  air,  but 
for  the  most  part,  their  'planes  were  up  solely  for 
observation  purposes. 

As  we  maneuvered  our  way  along,  with  bent 
shoulders  (for  the  rain  was  coming  down  in  torrents), 
the  Lieutenant  attempted  to  get  his  bearings,  but 
was  unsuccessful.  Soon  we  came  to  the  edge  of 
the  woods  and  moved  a  short  distance  into  the  field. 
As  we  did  so,  the  firing  seemed  to  increase,  and  in 
looking  around  in  order  to  observe  our  surroundings, 
we  saw  to  our  amazement  that  we  were  located  be- 
tween the  two  hnes.  We  had  obviously  been  walking 
around  in  circles  and  had  accidentally  strolled  into 
No  Man's  Land.  One  hundred  yards  to  our  right 
was  the  first  wave  of  the  American  infantry  coming 
"over  the  top"  and  four  hundred  yards  on  our  left. 


120  THE  HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

the  Boches  were  waitinp;  for  them  with  their  machine 
guns  playing  a  merry  tune.  As  some  old  sage  once 
said  "Discretion  is  the  better  part  of  valor";  so  we 
immediately  moved  back  into  the  rather  doubtful 
protection  of  the  woods  until  the  infantry  had  come 
abreast  of  us. 

Then  the  ^id  brigade  started  to  move  again. 
The  104th  was  allowed  to  file  out  of  the  woods  in 
which  they  were  intrenched  and  to  move  across  the 
wheatfield,  without  being  molested  by  so  much  as  a 
single  shot,  but  as  soon  as  the  last  of  the  battahon 
entered  the  adjoining  woods,  all  Hell  broke  loose 
It  was  in  this  ambush  that  Max  Hirshovitz,  as  good 
and  as  brave  a  soldier  as  ever  lived,  was  killed.  The 
class  of  '16  may  well  be  proud  of  him,  I  searched 
for  two  hours  in  an  attempt  to  locate  his  body,  but 
was  unsuccessful,  as  there  were  so  many  others  also 
lying  there.  Two  days  later,  a  sergeant  in  his 
company  told  me  he  had  been  one  of  the  first  to 
be  buried. 

This  last  attack  had  been  a  success  and  the  Boche 
resistance  had  turned  into  a  hasty  retreat.  So  com- 
plete had  been  their  defeat  that  it  was  not  until  a 
day  and  a  half  later,  when  they  had  reached  the 
outskirts  of  Le  Fere-en-Tardenois,  a  town  that  had 
once  been  a  fairly  good  sized  railroad  center,  that 
they  again  had  serious  trouble. 

Here  we  were  relieved  by  28th  (U.S.)  Division, 
of  Pennsylvania,  after  completing  a  drive  of  17  kilo- 
metres, the  longest  advance  that  had  been  made  by 
any  Allied  Force,  in  the  previous  four  years  of  the 
War. 


FRANCIS  G.   KANE 


WITH   THE   MARINES 


WITH   THE   MARINES 

BY  A.  E.  BEATON,  '17 

JUST  before  going  into  service  what  did  most 
men  think?  What  were  their  feehngs  when 
they  took  the  oath  of  soldier  or  sailor?  If 
one  were  to  listen  to  each  man,  one  would  no  doubt 
hear  as  many  different  stories.  Probably  my  story 
is  different  from  that  of  any  other,  for  when  I  had 
got  through  school,  I  pursued  my  studies  with  the 
intention  of  going  into  one  of  the  naval  branches. 
I  did  not  get  into  the  outfit  I  aimed  for  and  in  con- 
siderable wrath  hiked  to  the  Marine  Corps  recruit- 
ing station  at  22  Tremont  Row.  Accepted,  I  left 
for  Paris  Island,  South  Carolina. 

Those  who  have  visited  the  island  will  need  no 
coaching  to  recall  what  an  aspect  was  presented  to 
the  prospective  Marine.  Hot  sun,  white  sand  and 
a  myriad  of  sand  fleas.  Near  the  landing  were  a 
number  of  men  in  uniform  who  promptly  began 
to  give  the  newly  arrived  much  advice.  All  were 
incredulous,  I  believe,  for  the  advice  was  certainly 
of  a  strange  nature. 

"You'll  like  it!  You  got  to  like  it!"  was  the 
greatest  cry.  I  can't  state  that  I  agree  with  the 
first  part  but  with  the  second   I   soon  learned  to 

123 


124  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

agree.  Another  cry  which  proved  only  too  true 
was,  "Shave  every  morning,  'Boot,'"  and  the 
speaker  grinned  as  he  rubbed  his  chin.  Quite 
true  it  was,  too,  much  to  my  regret  today.  The 
word  "Boot  "  in  the  Corps  meant  "recruit"  and  one 
can  easily  see  where  "boot"  applies. 

The  party  with  which  I  arrived  was  conducted 
by  a  guide  who  continually  cried,  "Where's  your 
traveling  orders?"  Why  he  kept  this  up  was  a 
mystery  unless  it  was  to  show  us  his  importance. 
I  learned  later  that  his  importance  was  very  Uttle, 
for  he  was  also  a  private.  Later  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  making  him  work  and  sweat,  and  he  knew  not 
why  he  was  so  distinguished.     Others  knew. 

With  this  same  guide  we  marched  to  a  group  of 
buildings  some  one  thousand  yards  distant.  As  we 
approached,  we  could  see  men  running  around  aim- 
lessly, and  we  wondered.  As  we  entered  the  group 
we  were  greeted  by  a  howling  mob,  some  in  the 
white  clothes  we  had  seen  from  the  distance.  Others 
were  half-dressed.  The  "white  clothes"  proved  to 
be  pajamas  and  nature's  suits.  All  were  quite  free 
with  advice,  greatly  more  startHng  than  before. 

This  place  was  known  as  the  Applicants'  Camp, 
and  to  it  all  men  were  conducted  who  aspired  to  be 
Marines.  The  principal  occupation  of  Apphcants' 
Camp  was  evading  work.  The  commander  of  the 
station  had  wisely  placed  Shorty  Anderwood,  a 
sergeant,  in  charge  of  policing  the  camp.  Shorty 
had  a  wonderful  voice  with  which  to  scare  a  man. 
He  was  a  case  of  hard  shell  but  good  heart.     As 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  125 

police  sergeant  it  fell  to  him  to  get  these  nondescripts 
who  were  neither  soldiers  nor  civilians,  to  work. 

At  various  times  "Shorty"  called  at  the  "  Y"  and 
there  gathered  the  men  and  put  them  to  work.  Only 
the  new  and  uninitiated  visited  the  "Y,"  for  those 
who  had  once  been  caught  found  it  easier  to  refrain 
from  writing  the  folks  till  better  times. 

My  first  meal  proved  to  be  a  failure  in  this 
manner.  I  marched  into  the  "galley"  with  others 
and  proceeded  to  sit  down  at  the  allotted  plate 
when  some  one  screeched,  "Stand  up,  you,  and  fold 
your  arms!"  Also  other  words.  I  of  course  stood 
up  and  folded  my  arms. 

Suddenly,  "Seats!"  All  seated  quickly  and 
promptly  appropriated  the  greatest  part  of  what- 
ever food  was  near  them.  I  noticed  that  a  man 
first  filled  his  plate  and  then  ate.  There  was  no 
passing  around  of  food.  I  failed  to  notice  that 
almost  all  "bolted"  their  food  and  as  a  result  I 
was  one  of  the  last  to  leave,  but  I  did  not  get  out. 

The  doors  were  locked.  There  were  some  ten 
left  and  it  fell  to  us  to  gather  the  dishes,  also  to 
wash  and  dry  them,  "swab"  the  deck  and  "wash 
down "  the  tables.  At  the  next  meal  I  also  ate 
hurriedly. 

One  soon  learned  to  pay  no  heed  to  such  cries 
as  "Bull  Ring!"  "Outside  for  mail"  and  other 
calls  to  catch  the  unwary.  There  was  one  cry 
which  all  did  answer  promptly,  namely:  "All  men 
who  came  in  yesterday  report  to  sick-bay  right 
away."    At  this  cry  all  men  who  had  arrived  on  the 


126  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

preceding  day  hurried  to  be  examined  for  enlist- 
ment. Those  fortunate  enough  to  pass  the  rigid 
examinations  were  conducted  before  the  major  in 
command  and  duly  sworn  in. 

The  drawing  of  clothes  followed  and  the  placing 
into  companies  of  66  men  in  charge  of  a  sergeant 
and  four  corporals.  The  sergeant  in  charge  of  our 
company  was  "Foxy"  Styskell,  a  man  of  infinite 
patience  and  a  "scrapper."  Unfortunately,  he  re- 
mained with  us  but  a  short  while,  for  he  was  made 
a  "top"  and  then  succeeded  in  getting  reduced  to 
"line"  so  as  to  get  transferred  to  France. 

Sam  Bassett  of  Greenfield  and  I  hitched  up  and 
went  "over  the  fence"  together.  "Over  the  fence" 
meant  that  the  "boot's"  training  had  begun,  but 
none  knew  why  "over  the  fence"  was  the  term. 

Sam  and  I  did  not  succeed  in  getting  into  the 
same  tent,  and  I  was  placed  with  Bob  Gillis,  a  fellow 
from  Cumberland,  Maryland.  Bob  was  a  fine  fellow 
and  we  had  good  times  together  but  we  later  were 
separated. 

Why  dwell  on  the  period  of  training?  The  maga- 
zine writers  continued  to  keep  the  wolf  away  from 
the  door  by  writing  of  the  life  at  camp.  Don't 
you  remember  reading  the  menu?  Remember  how 
often  beans  appeared  in  the  same?  Is  it  any  wonder 
that  Boston  seemed  to  mean  the  same  to  many? 
And  it  was  useless  for  Bostonians  to  explain  what 
beans  really  were. 

During  my  training,  there  were  two  periods  which 
I  greatly  enjoyed:   the  bayonet  course  and  the  rifle 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  127 

course.  Probably  the  greatest  period  of  the  boot's 
hfe  is  on  the  rifle  range.  After  having  been  told 
that  the  rifle  was  his  best  friend,  he  looked  forward 
to  the  day  when  he  could  use  it.  How  we  aU  talked 
over  that  first  shot! 

"What  did  you  make?"  "Oh,  I  made  a  bull." 
None  would  admit  that  he  made  a  "swabo"  or  a 
"walking  four"  on  his  first.  A  "swabo"  or  a  "walk- 
ing four"  was  a  miss.  I  still  have  the  empty  sheUs 
of  the  first  chp  I  fired,  as  have  many  others.  With- 
out doubt  the  rifle  was  the  "boot's"  best  friend,  for 
it  gave  him  a  chance  for  France.  To  quahfy  meant 
France;    to  fail  meant  service  elsewhere. 

Is  it  any  wonder  that  so  many  qualified!  Just 
previous  to  going  on  to  the  range  the  men  in  the  com- 
pany had  been  inoculated  for  the  third  time  and  the 
blood  of  most  men  was  causing  boils  and  abscesses. 
These  came  just  where  a  fellow  least  wanted  them, 
positions  which  interfered  with  firing.  I  know  of 
men  who  fired  their  rifles  with  boils  that  if  they 
were  to  report  at  sick-bay  would  cause  them  to  be 
sent  to  the  hospital  immediately. 

The  eventful  day  came  and  we  fired  for  record, 
nearly  all  quahfying,  myself  included.  Then  came 
the  breaking  up  of  the  boot  company;  the  records 
of  the  men  and  their  adaptabihty  were  considered. 
I  was  chosen  to  become  a  bayonet  instructor,  but  as 
I  had  chosen  "straight  duty"  I  was  sent  to  Quantico, 
Virginia. 

At  Quantico,  I  was  not  so  fortunate  as  the 
"straight  duty"   clause  had   no  weight  there  and 


128  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

I  was  placed  in  the  Bayonet  Instructors'  School. 
My  boot  companions  were  mostly  transferred  to 
overseas  organizations  and  I  later  met  some  of 
them  in  France. 

The  school  was  in  command  of  Captain  Harris- 
son,  a  Canadian  officer  wounded  in  France.  He  had 
a  staff  of  officers  as  instructors,  of  whom  Lieutenant 
Agrault  conducted  the  class  in  which  I  was.  In 
the  same  class  was  Pat  Dougherty,  Andy  Clay,  Red 
Bergquist,  Lee  Dooley,  Bid  Schmucke,  and  "  Irish." 
"Irish"  was  my  other  name  in  the  outfit. 

We  became  boon  companions  and  remained  to- 
gether throughout  the  rest  of  our  time.  We  did 
not  care  to  stay  in  Quantico  for  all  time,  so  we 
became  obnoxious  to  the  "top."  If  a  man  wishes 
to  get  transferred,  there  is  one  certain  way  and 
that  is  to  incur  the  "top's"  dislike.  This  we  did. 
We  had  of  course  been  made  instructors  and  al- 
though we  had  great  fun  on  the  different  fields  and 
ranges,  we  still  hankered  to  get  across.  At  last 
our  chance  came.  The  company  clerk  read  off  a 
list  of  names  for  transfer  to  an  overseas  battalion 
and  we  were  among  those  going.  The  "top"  had 
got  rid  of  us.  A  hurried  note  home,  a  turning  in 
of  equipment  not  necessary  for  the  field  and  we 
were  ready.     Next  day  we  "shoved." 

Again  I  shall  let  you  turn  to  the  magazines  for 
stories  of  the  boys  "going  over."  The  trip  across 
was  quite  uneventful;  no  one  giving  the  "subs"  a 
thought,  which  goes  to  show  the  confidence  we  had 
in  our  Navy. 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  129 

Who  can  forget  his  first  glimpse  of  France?  To 
be  sure,  it  was  nothing  grand,  but  it  at  least  rep- 
resented sohd  earth  and  rehef  from  a  crowded  trans- 
port. At  last  we  got  ashore  and  hiked  through 
Brest. 

Some  few  soldiers  greeted  us  with,  "What  kept 
you?"  This  meant  nothing  to  me  but  to  some  men 
in  the  battahon  it  meant  much.  Some  had  been 
on  ships  in  the  North  Sea;  Bill  Schmecski,  for  one, 
had  been  for  nearly  a  year  on  a  cruiser  there.  Others 
had  been  at  different  stations  and  in  the  tropics. 
Now  the  language  of  the  soldier  is  nothing  if  not 
expressive,  and  these  same  soldiers  were  treated  with 
a  just  share  of  that  same  expressiveness. 

As  it  is  the  custom  of  our  good  Uncle  Sam  to 
feed  and  clothe  as  well  as  sometimes  pay  his  sol- 
diers, it  is  also  his  custom  to  give  his  soldiers  plenty 
to  do.  Consequently  the  first  morning  in  camp  we 
"hit  the  deck"  dark  and  early.  As  we  were  sleep- 
ing quite  close  to  the  deck  —  a  poncho  separated  us 
from  the  ground — "hitting  the  deck"  represented 
little  work.  Getting  dressed  was  something  that 
we  did  not  think  of  doing.    We  were  already  dressed. 

"Chow"  was  uppermost  in  our  minds  as  we 
marched  to  the  galley  to  feast  on  our  good  Uncle. 
He  was  a  great  disappointment  right  there.  Luck- 
ily for  me  I  knew  a  "grease  ball,"  (popular  name 
for  men  working  in  the  kitchen)  and  threatened  him 
with  dire  results  if  he  did  not  feed  me  more  beans 
and  another  sHce  of  bread.  He  did  give  me  another 
piece,   which    I   shared  with   Andy.     There  was  a 


130  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

great  howl  by  others  not  so  fortunate,  which  worried 
me  not.  Hiking  into  Brest  was  not  without  its 
fun.  Between  shouting,  singing  and  trying  to  slip 
out  of  ranks  the  time  passed  quickly  and  we  were 
in  Brest  in  no  time. 

In  Brest  the  battahon  was  broken  up  into  work- 
ing parties  and  I  was  sent  with  one  group  to  work 
for  a  corporal  of  engineers.  He  was  a  good  fellow. 
Bringing  us  to  a  toolshed,  he  handed  out  shovels, 
picks,  wheelbarrows,  and  what  not,  connected  with 
building  a  road.  I  foreseeingly  laid  hold  of  a  sledge- 
hammer. While  others  shoveled  and  picked,  I  hfted 
and  let  fall  my  mighty  sledge,  taking  note  of  the  fall. 

This  same  corporal  had  won  a  brassard  on  his 
left  arm.  He  informed  us  that  the  brassard  allowed 
him  free  passage  over  the  city  and  the  M.P.'s  did 
not  challenge  him.  One  good  Marine  from  "Cinci" 
asked:  "Let  me  try  it  on?"  The  corporal  was 
obhging  enough  and  did.  Hardly  had  "Cinci" 
gotten  it  on  when  he  ran  off,  quickly  leaving  all 
gaping.  We  Marines  thought  it  a  great  joke,  but 
the  engineer  did  not,  especially  when  his  lieutenant 
asked  him  for  it.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that 
"Cinci"  had  a  good  time  seeing  Brest. 

Chow  time  again.  Would  I  fare  as  well  at 
dinner  as  I  had  at  breakfast?  The  battalion  as- 
sembled in  a  square  and  we  were  issued  tickets 
good  for  one  trip.  Andy  and  I  were  together  and 
he  and  I  had  at  last  reached  a  point  where  our 
tickets  were  due  to  leave  us.  The  soldier  taking 
the  tickets  was  colored  and  swung  a  billy.  Pre- 
caution? 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  131 

"Hello,  don't  you  remember  me?"  I  turned 
around  and  saw  Andy  was  In  great  glee,  for  he 
had  recognized  the  soldier  as  an  attendant  in  a 
Cincinnati  bowling  alley.  Andy  intended  to  make 
use  of  this  one-sided  acquaintance  and  promptly 
put  his  ticket  into  his  own  pocket.  The  colored 
soldier  obligingly  admitted  that  he  did  recognize 
Andy.  Then  Andy  called  his  attention  to  me, 
saying  that  I  was  one  of  the  scorers  in  the  last 
tournament  held  there.  The  fellow  remembered 
me,  for  he  waved  me  by  without  taking  my  ticket. 
I  must  admit  that  he  had  a  very  good  memory  for 
I  do  not  recall  ever  having  seen  "Cinci."  How- 
ever, I  did  not  recall  this  to  him,  and  Andy  and  I 
enjoyed  "seconds"  as  well  as  "firsts"  that  day. 
Our  good  luck  did  not  continue,  for  we  did  not  see 
him  after  that  day. 

The  work  of  course  had  to  be  done,  but  it  was 
not  our  purpose  to  do  it.  Brest  was  new  to  us,  and 
work  was  not.  We  had  noticed  that  if  a  body  of 
men  went  around  in  a  column  of  twos  with  a  man 
on  the  other  flank  to  do  the  saluting  and  command- 
ing, the  body  could  move  through  the  city  un- 
molested. We  had  been  working  on  the  road  some 
little  time  after  dinner  when  the  wanderlust  seized 
us.  The  engineer  had  not  returned  from  his  dinner. 
We  organized  into  a  column  of  twos  and  I  was  duly 
elected  to  do  the  "high-balling."  I  was  quite 
successful,  for  we  were  not  stopped  once.  We  saw 
the  greater  part  and  I  do  not  wonder  if  some  of 
the  party  became  lost,  for  we  returned  minus  some 
of  the  squad. 


132  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

France  had  not  yet  been  hit  by  Prohibition  and 
some  of  the  men  were  hit  with  a  great  thirst.  Water 
was  of  course  out  of  the  question,  but  who  had  the 
money  to  get  the  necessary  thirst-quencher?  All 
remained  thirsty,  but  not  for  long.  A  Marine 
corporal  had  seen  a  Portuguese  ship  unloading  wine 
for  the  Portuguese  troops  in  France.  He  believed 
that  as  we  were  in  the  same  war,  we  should  be 
treated  ahke,  even  to  the  wine.  He  did  not  com- 
municate this  to  the  Portuguese  guarding  the  hogs- 
heads on  the  dock.  Our  brainy  corporal  secured 
a  piece  of  thirst  pipe,  and  succeeded  in  getting  it 
into  one  of  the  barrels.  The  pipe  was  long  enough 
to  allow  him  to  hide  from  the  sentry  and  drink 
comfortably.  I  can  state  that  he  drank  almost 
enough  to  make  himself  uncomfortable.  Others 
followed  suit  and  before  long  other  parties  came  to 
work  in  the  same  vicinity;  one  can  rest  assured  that 
it  was  not  to  labor. 

At  last  we  left  Brittany.  It  was  then  we  be- 
came familiar  with  the  meaning  of  "Hommes  40, 
Chevaux  8."  As  long  as  the  number  remained  at 
forty,  the  traveling  was  not  so  uncomfortable,  but 
when  the  amount  went  above  forty  it  was  another 
matter.  The  car  in  which  I  rode  was  in  charge  of 
Sergeant  Fisher,  a  good  soldier  and  a  man  who  knew 
the  game.  Fisher  had  been  in  the  Corps  for  some 
time  and  had  been  made  by  General  "Flys" 
Mahoney.  It  was  a  known  fact  that  a  man  made  by 
"Flys"  deserved  his  warrant.  The  battahon  dis- 
entrained  at  St.  Argnan  of  great  renown. 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  133 

"Camp  Argony"  was  the  great  replacement 
camp  of  the  A.E.F.  through  which  all  troops  cleaned 
and  where  casuals  were  placed  into  organized  out- 
fits. The  night  we  remained  in  St.  Argnan  we  had 
the  good  fortune  to  secure  billets.  Skip  was  out  of 
question;  "chow"  was  uppermost  in  every  man's 
mind.  We  expected  to  get  hot  food.  But  softly. 
We  did  get  food  which  had  once  been  hot. 

I  got  to  talking  with  a  soldier  who  had  been  in 
the  hnes  and  who  was  then  a  casual.  He  informed 
me  that  to  get  warm  food  one  would  have  to  get 
up  early.  Pat,  Andy,  and  I  were  quite  wiUing  to 
get  up  early  to  get  something  warm.  Reveille  did 
not  find  us  sleeping  and  it  seems  that  it  found  very 
few  in  the  camp  sleeping,  for  men  were  hurrying  to 
get  a  good  place  in  fine.  The  three  of  us  did  not 
fare  so  badly.  There  was  a  call  for  volunteers  to 
serve  "chow"  and  we  promptly  stepped  out.  We 
of  course  ate  before  we  commenced  work. 

The  captain  of  our  company  happened  along 
after  we  had  been  working  a  short  time.  He 
promptly  and  in  no  gentle  tones  informed  us  that 
when  any  of  his  men  went  to  work  in  the  galley  he 
would  send  them.  I  know  very  well  that  the  cap- 
tain "called  us  down"  only  to  get  us  out  of  the 
kitchen  because  I  saw  a  wink. 

Armistice  came,  the  "Big  Show"  was  over,  and 
we  had  not  got  "Up  There."  There  was  some  dis- 
appointment in  having  got  so  far  and  then  not  seeing 
the  real  thing.  What  was  our  little  disappointment 
in  the  joy  of  it  all? 


134  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

After  the  Armistice  there  were  rumors  floating 
around  continually,  some  to  this  effect  and  some  to 
that.  The  more  credulous  believed  that  we  were  go- 
ing home  soon.  If  there  were  any  who  sincerely  be- 
heved  that  we  were  to  go  home  at  that  time  they 
were  greatly  disappointed.  An  order  came  organiz- 
ing police  companies  and  we  left  for  parts  unknown. 
We  arrived  in  St.  Nazaire  and  then  undertook  all 
sorts  of  duties,  from  guarding  ships  to  convoying 
trains. 

It  was  our  great  privilege  to  be  attached  to  the 
Army  Transport  Service  and  as  such  help  the  home- 
going  soldier  on  his  journey.  At  first  it  was  quite 
a  hardship  to  watch  men  leaving  for  home  and 
yet  remain  on  foreign  ground;  we  soon  lost  any 
longings,  for  we  learned  that  our  time  was  a  long 
way  off". 

It  used  to  be  great  fun  to  stand  at  the  foot  of 
the  gangplank  and  watch  the  men  go  aboard. 

I  have  seen  some  men  so  excited  with  joy  that 
they  could  scarcely  answer  their  name  when  called. 
A  home-going  soldier  once  aboard  did  not  come  off. 
If  ever  an  outfit  was  cursed  and  abused  it  was  ours. 
We  had  our  orders  and  we  obligingly  told  those  who 
wished  to  come  ashore  what  conditions  we  labored 
under.  There  was  no  pleasing  some  people  and  we 
tired  of  taking  all  the  abuse  and  became  calloused. 
If  a  person  was  disrespectful  to  a  member  of  the 
guard  or  to  the  Corps,  he  was  arrested. 

What  else  could  we  do?  Because  we  carried  out 
our   orders,   we   were   considered   tyrannical.      And 


FRANCIS   L.   JOHNSON 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  135 

when  we  arrived  home,  we  found  stories  being  circu- 
lated to  the  effect  that  all  Marines  were  fiends.  I 
am  glad  to  state  though  that,  placed  as  we  were  in 
a  position  of  trust,  we  had  comparatively  Httle 
trouble.  The  fellow  who  was  obnoxious  was  the 
first  to  ''cry." 

Our  associations  with  the  Army  were  always 
quite  cordial,  despite  reports  to  the  contrary.  I 
wish  to  state  here  that  though  the  30th  Company 
gained  infamy,  not  all  its  members  were  to  blame. 
There  were  some  members  of  the  30th  in  our  com- 
pany and  they  were  men  of  sterhng  character. 
They  deplored  the  actions  of  some  members  of  the 
company,  but  they  boasted  that  it  was  not  a  Marine 
officer  who  commanded  the  company  at  the  time. 

Each  day  there  were  various  interesting  incidents. 
I  could  write  many  of  them  but  will  confine  myself 
to  the  story  of  the  negro  who  attempted  to  steal 
his  way  home.  I  was  an  eyewitness  to  the  whole 
affair  but  it  was  such  an  affair  of  nerve  that  I  failed 
to  exercise  my  duty  and  the  one  to  act  was  none 
other  than  Colonel  Olsen,  commander  of  the  A.T.S. 

The  negro,  a  member  of  a  skeleton  battafion  in 
St.  Nazaire,  had  arranged  with  friends  aboard  to 
throw  him  a  fine.  His  friends  obligingly  did  so, 
at  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Everything 
was  going  well;  he  had  tied  his  barracks  bag  to  the 
line,  which  was  promptly  pulled  up.  I  befieve  that 
his  lust  for  souvenirs,  for  no  doubt  that  is  what  the 
bag  contained,  proved  his  undoing.  He  himself 
started  to  climb  a  sheet  fine  but  Colonel  Olsen  arrived 
on  the  scene. 


136  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Now  Colonel  Olsen,  according  to  all  codes,  should 
have  been  at  home  and  in  bed  sleeping,  but  he 
wasn't.  He  arrived  in  time  to  see  the  bag  disappear 
over  the  rail. 

Being  of  an  explosive  nature,  the  colonel  called 
out  to  the  " Steve"  to  come  back,  and  in  no  uncertain 
tones.  This  the  "steve"  refused  to  do,  whereupon 
the  colonel  took  hold  of  the  line  and  swayed  it  back 
and  forth  so  as  to  scare  the  runaway.  The  noise 
attracted  a  Naval  officer  on  deck,  who  ordered  his 
quartermaster  to  dowse  the  forward  sheet  Hne.  The 
quartermaster  did.  The  negro  with  a  yell  sHpped 
back  and  found  his  Nemesis. 

The  sentry  and  I  had  of  course  come  up  when 
the  colonel  started  action  and  were  immediately 
questioned  as  to  our  whereabouts.  I  did  not  lie 
when  I  told  him  I  was  in  the  district,  but  I  did  not 
tell  him  just  what  part.  I  know  that  the  sentry 
spoke  the  truth,  for  if  he  had  seen  the  "steve"  he 
would  surely  have  stopped  him.  Mississippi  was 
his  home  state. 

I  am  not  trying  to  vindicate  myself  but  leave 
my  reader  to  judge.  The  negro  at  that  time  rated 
three  service  stripes.     Was  I  right  or  wrong? 

I  was  a  pretty  good  soldier  but  still  I  did  hke  to 
see  a  little  more  of  France  than  I  had  already  seen. 
So  it  was  with  others.  It  was  no  simple  matter  to 
get  a  pass  from  the  "tops"  and,  therefore,  a  fellow 
took  a  chance  on  going  A.W.O.L.  As  stolen  fruits 
are  sweetest  so  was  an  absence  without  leave  more 
exciting.     Needless  to  say  that  I  did  enjoy  disap- 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  137 

pearing  for  a  couple  of  days  and  then  coming  back 
and  not  getting  rammed.  The  "top"  usually  failed 
to  note  "A.W.O.L.'S. "  and  we  appreciated  his 
kindness. 

The  M.P.'s  were  our  cross  and  to  beat  them 
meant  good  head  work.  On  one  occasion  I  was 
A.W.O.L.  in  the  City  of  Nantes.  Nantes  is  called 
"Little  Paris,"  and  who  would  not  risk  getting 
"rammed"  to  visit  "Little  Paris"?  At  the  time  I 
visited  Nantes  a  Marine  from  E  company,  13th 
Marines,  was  reported  to  have  been  visiting  Nantes 
in  the  same  manner  as  I,  A.W.O.L. 

I  could  have  had  a  finer  time  but  for  him,  because 
every  M.P.  who  saw  a  Marine,  of  whom  there  were 
very  few  in  the  city,  gave  chase  in  hopes  of  getting 
that  13th  Marine.  I  was  also  without  pass,  and  to 
be  caught  meant  personal  inconvenience  and  a 
hurried   ride   home. 

Upon  seeing  an  M.P.  watching  me,  I  slipped  into 
a  cafe  and  was  greeted  by  a  lonely  Army  Service 
Corps  man.  These  men  were  somewhat  privileged, 
as  their  duty  carried  them  everywhere  and  they 
moved  unchallenged. 

The  A.S.C.  saw  my  plight  and  came  to  my 
rescue.  He  helped  me  by  giving  me  some  collar 
ornaments  of  the  A.S.C.  and  one  for  my  cap.  I 
changed  hurriedly  while  the  A.S.C.  explained  that 
he  carried  a  few  buttons  for  such  occasions.  Had 
I  been  French  I  should  have  kissed  him.  We  be- 
heved  that  a  little  disguise  could  hurt  no  one  and 
would   cause   the   M.P.'s   no   trouble.      I    am   very 


138  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

fortunate  that  I  escaped  detection  in  my  masquer- 
ade, for  the  penalty  is  great.  My  A.S.C.  friend 
and  I  enjoyed  the  freedom  of  the  city  very  much. 

How  many  men  in  the  A.E.F.  had  duty  leaves, 
and  how  those  who  had  did  enjoy  them!  Will  they 
ever  cease  talking  about  Paris,  Nice,  Biarritz,  St. 
Malo,  and  those  other  wonderful  resorts. 

Pat  Dougherty  and  I  were  offered  leaves  to 
Biarritz;  we  just  gobbled  them  up.  At  last  the 
day  came  and  we  set  forth.  With  us  went  a  very 
shy  young  boy,  by  name  Floyd  Wickham.  He  was 
shy  until  a  young  lady  dentist  in  Biarritz  drew  him 
out  of  his  shell.  It  was  the  first  time  that  we  had 
ridden  on  a  legitimate  pass;  other  times  it  was  on 
fake  passes,  sometimes  guard  rosters  with  officers' 
seals,  other  times  it  was  with  bulletins  of  courts- 
martial,  —  anything  to  show  the  French  conductor. 

This  time  we  had  honest-to-goodness  railroad 
tickets  and  "permission."  Our  destination  was 
Biarritz  and  after  a  day  and  night  of  eventful  rid- 
ing we  reached  there.  Railway  riding  for  the 
American  was  a  source  of  joy  and  to  the  French  a 
nightmare.  The  Americans  would  not  stay  where 
they  belonged.  A  soldier  rode  according  to  rank, 
but  the  only  one  who  could  keep  him  out  of  a 
first-lass  coach,  where  he  did  not  belong,  was  an 
M.P. 

The  American  would  ride  "first"  or  get  arrested 
in  the  attempt.  Pat,  Floyd,  and  I  rode  the  greater 
part  of  the  way  "first"  but  an  M.P.  occasionally  re- 
quested   us    to    change.      We    obeyed    his    request 


COMMERCE  IN  THE  WAR  139 

—  while  he  was  looking!  But  when  he  moved 
away,  we  went  back  to  the  "first,"  to  the  chagrin 
of  the  French. 

Biarritz  at  last,  a  real  hotel,  a  regular  dining 
table  and  real  chow!  Pat  and  I  secured  a  room  to- 
gether. Biarritz  is  in  the  Basque  country,  celebrated 
for  hospitality  and  justly  so.  My  poor  pen  can  never 
write  the  joy  of  a  buck  on  leave  —  no  reveille,  no 
roll-call,  no  taps,  nothing  military,  not  even  the 
Military  Poilu. 

We  visited  the  country  seat,  Bayonne,  a  pros- 
perous city.  In  one  of  the  big  stores  I  desired  to 
buy  some  toilet  articles,  and  my  French  being  in- 
different, I  asked  in  Spanish.  I  was  rewarded  in 
that  one  of  the  Spanish-speaking  girls  obtained  my 
articles.  She  proved  to  be  a  very  nice  young  person. 
She  called  the  proprietor,  who  was  passing,  and  told 
him  that  I  spoke  Spanish. 

The  proprietor  conducted  Pat  and  me  to  his 
office  and  we  had  a  most  pleasant  conversation.  Pat 
is  a  school  teacher  in  the  Keystone  State  and  could 
converse  in  French  after  a  fashion.  As  for  me,  I 
struggled  along,  afraid  I  did  not  altogether  fulfill  all 
Mr.  Berge's  rules.  My  being  able  to  speak  Spanish 
was  quite  novel  to  these  people  and  I  was  accepted 
at  par  wherever  I  went. 

The  salesgirl  saw  fit  to  invite  Pat  and  me  to 
her  home  —  a  most  unusual  thing  in  that  country. 
We  accepted  the  invitation  for  that  evening  and 
were  on  time.  The  young  lady  greeted  us  on  our 
arrival  at  her  home  and  I  should  think  that  most 


140  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

of  her  relatives  were  there.     We  must  have  been 
queer  or  something  out  of  the  ordinary. 

We  had  a  most  enjoyable  evening  even  if  we  did 
paint  a  theatrical  picture  of  things  in  America.  I 
called  the  next  evening,  but  the  whole  family  was 
not  there  —  I  saw  to  that. 

The  Frenchman,  one  might  say,  was  at  home  on 
a  bicycle,  for  nearly  every  one  owns  a  wheel.  The 
members  of  the  A.E.F.  in  our  hotel  formed  a  bicycle 
party  to  do  a  little  touring.  We  were  quite  safe 
in  choosing  such  a  trip,  for  the  roads  were  in  splendid 
condition.  We  visited  the  various  bicycle  shops  in 
Biarritz  and  found  that  the  charge  was  eight  francs 
a  day.  After  a  few  visits  to  different  shops  I  got 
to  talking  with  the  proprietor  of  one  who  had  been 
an  "avion"  or  aviator  in  the  war. 

We  had  been  strugghng  along  in  a  wretched 
French  when  I  thought  of  again  using  the  Spanish. 
"Habia  el  espanol,  Sefior?"  "Si!  Si!"  Then  we 
became  really  acquainted  even  to  the  extent  of  re- 
ducing the  rates  to  one  half  for  the  five  of  us. 

After  some  unsuccessful  attempts  at  mounting 
I  did  succeed  in  staying  on  my  wheel  and  thought 
that  I  had  silenced  the  laughter  of  the  French,  who 
were  watching  us  start.  The  laughing  did  not  stop 
and  I  soon  discovered  why.  Poor  Pat  had  never 
ridden  a  wheel  before  and  was  having  a  hard  job 
now.  The  French  and  Americans  shouted  advice 
at  him,  to  which  he  paid  no  attention.  Once  on 
and  going,  Pat  refused  to  get  off,  up  hill  or  down. 


COMMERCE    IN  THE  WAR  141 

Unfortunately  we  got  separated  from  our  three 
companions  and  we  did  not  know  which  way  to 
turn.  We  did  think  it  unfortunate,  but  Fate  does 
some  queer  things.  Pat  moved  that  we  push  on  and 
as  we  were  then  well  into  the  Pyrenees  we  held  a 
sHm  chance  of  returning  that  night.  Push  on  we 
did.  Towards  dusk  we  entered  a  small  village  in 
the  mountains,  the  name  of  which  I  do  not  know. 

As  we  entered  the  village,  the  welcome  we  got 
was  a  wonder.     I  cannot  attempt  to  describe  it  fully. 

"Vive  les  Americans!"     "Vive!    Vive!" 

The  whole  population  had  turned  out  to  greet 
us;  to  be  sure,  it  was  not  large,  but  the  people  made 
up  for  it  with  their  "vives."  Dismounting  and 
allowing  the  men  to  shake  our  hands  and  the  women 

—  well,  the  women,  you  know,  they  welcomed  us  also 

—  we  were  conducted  to  the  inn. 

What  would  they  have  done  had  we  been  real 
heroes?  Probably  the  marksmanship  badges  de- 
ceived them.  Our  arrival  was  known  soon,  for  at 
the  inn  was  a  very  pompous  person  who  greeted 
us  effusively. 

We  took  him  to  be  the  mayor  and  Hstened  quite 
respectfully,  wondering  what  he  could  be  saying. 

"He  did  not  talk  French,"  Pat  said. 

"Well,  it  wasn't  Spanish,"  I  said. 

"Then  it  must  be  the  Basque,"  we  both  spoke 
up.  Pat  was  equal  to  the  occasion  and  addressed 
a  few  words  in  French  to  the  villagers.  Modesty 
ought  to  hold  me  in  check  but  it  does  not,  and  why 
am  I  writing  this  theme  but  to  tell  what  did  happen? 


142  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

I  arose,  and  in  Spanish  thanked  the  mayor  and 
his  people  for  their  kindness.  I  told  of  the  love 
America  had  for  France,  of  how  the  people  of  the 
Basque  country  were  known  for  their  generosity 
and  kindness.  All  in  all  I  gave  quite  a  lengthy  talk 
and  to  do  the  same  again  I  would  need  a  greater 
inspiration  than  I  then  had. 

The  proprietor  had  not  been  idle  and  a  bountiful 
meal  awaited  us.  We  alone  ate  but  the  room  had 
a  good  share  of  the  village  in  it.  The  notables  con- 
ducted us  through  the  village,  showing  its  good 
points,  and  I  must  state  that  it  was  a  delightful 
place;  sheep-herding  being  the  main  occupation  of 
the  inhabitants.  Nor  were  our  bicycles  forgotten  — 
a  good  villager  produced  a  large  pump  and  with  the 
aid  of  many  willing  hands  pumped  the  tires  until  I 
thought  they  would  burst. 

The  best  room  in  the  inn  was  ours  and  when 
morning  came  and  we  looked  forward  to  returning 
to  Biarritz,  a  wonderful  breakfast  awaited  us.  When 
it  came  time  to  settle  our  bill  there  was  great  com- 
motion; we  did  flash  good  rolls,  but  "His  Honor'* 
said  that  it  was  all  part  of  their  welcome  to  us. 
I  am  sure  we  thanked  him,  but  to  leave  our  good 
host,  the  innkeeper,  without  some  token  would 
have  been  a  great  injustice.  We  both  tipped  him 
well. 

Thinking  and  talking  it  over  later,  Pat  and  I 
agreed  that  we  both  carried  out  our  part  quite  well 
and  admitted  that  we  did  present  a  good  appearance. 
Pat  was  dressed  in  O.D.  and   I   in  green;    we  had 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  143 

got  some  russet  shoes  of  a  home-going  "medic," 
and  a  lieutenant  out  of  the  82d  Division  had  given 
me  a  couple  of  pairs  of  gloves.  The  gloves  were 
given  to  me  as  a  thanks  and  remembrance  of  him 
for  a  considerable  favor  I  had  done  him.  All  dressed 
up!  I  do  believe  that  no  two  men  in  the  A.E.F.  had 
the  same  experience. 

St.  Nazaire  again  and  we  had  to  go  on  watch 
right  away.  Oh!  Hum!  I  wish  I  were  home  or 
in  Biarritz.  The  divisions  were  still  going  through 
and  the  only  things  to  enliven  the  place  were  fights 
with  anyone  who  cared. 

Still  the  troops  came  and  went  and  still  we 
lingered  on.  As  the  troops  passed  our  barracks  they 
were  greeted  with,  "Anyone  from  Boston,  Buffalo, 
Cinci?"  "Who's  from  Chi?"  Boston  always  got 
response;  in  nearly  every  company  there  was  at 
least  one  Beaneatic.  No  matter  the  division  or  the 
outfit,  Boston  was  represented. 

The  last  of  July  found  us  in  Brest.  There  we 
were  placed  in  the  i  ith  Marines  for  transport  home. 
At  Brest,  no  work,  no  guard,  just  eat  and  sleep. 
The  "Y,"  the  K.C.,  the  "Sallies,"  were  there,  all 
generous,  and  their  gifts  were  quickly  taken  up. 

We  prepared  to  leave,  but  before  I  end,  what 
ought  I  to  say  of  France?  Many  came  home  with 
stories  in  no  way  just.  Robbery,  selfishness,  and 
other  vices  were  paraded.  I,  for  one,  will  not 
acquiesce  in  those  statements.  Who  was  it  that 
when  we  were  cold  and  wet  took  us  into  their  homes 
and   warmed   us!     The  French  woman,  who  more 


144  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

than  once  washed  our  clothes,  even  when  we  did 
not  have  a  "sou."  Who  was  it  that  when  a  friend 
of  mine  was  sick  took  him  and  kept  him  till  he  was 
well?  A  French  woman.  Who  cooked  our  stolen 
foods  at  a  great  risk?  The  French  woman.  Why 
go  on? 

Many  complained  of  storekeepers  robbing  them. 
What  did  many  patriotic  people  near  the  Army 
camps  charge  the  soldier?  You  know.  In  nearly 
every  city  in  which  a  training  camp  had  been  placed 
prices  jumped  to  the  soldier  trade. 

In  France  one  haggles  when  buying,  but  the 
Americans  would  pay  the  first  price  asked.  What 
did  Americans  do  when  they  came  ashore?  Ask 
any  soldier  who  had  done  duty  in  any  of  the  ports, 
how  Americans  acted  when  on  liberty.  Ask  any 
M.P. 

Let  us  Americans  consider  the  plight  of  France 
before  we  judge  too  harshly.  Consider  America  over- 
flowing with  the  soldiery  of  many  countries.  Britain, 
Italy,  Canada,  Austraha,  Portugal,  America,  India, 
Algiers,  French  Colonies,  are  but  a  few  of  the 
many  who  had  men  in  France.  What  would  Ameri- 
cans do?  Each  soldier  is  subject  only  to  his  own 
Corps  and  not  to  the  nation  in  which  he  is  placed. 
Knowing  this,  all  took  advantage. 

Home  at  last,  the  only  things  mihtary  that  re- 
mained were  my  uniform  and  memories,  some  of 
which  you  now  know.  Still  I  was  a  bit  lonesome. 
I  wonder  what  is  Pat  doing  now,  how  Mike's  appear- 
ance at  home  startled  his  folks.     They  only  knew 


EDWARD  JAMES 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  145 

that  he  was  living,  but  never  received  word  from 
him.    Over  two  years  in  France.     How  is  Andy? 

Such  thoughts  would  come  up  in  my  memory, 
and  I  know  that  I  will  see  most  of  my  old  comrades 
in  my  mind's  eye  only.  The  fellows  who  were  in 
sectional  divisions  do  not  know  how  fortunate  they 
are.  When  I  see  a  man  out  of  the  Y.D.,  I  say, 
"Lucky  Stiff!"  His  outfit  is  still  going  and  he  can 
meet  his  buddies  almost  any  time.  I  am  not  so  for- 
tunate. There  is  not  a  man  out  of  my  company 
within  twenty-five  miles  of  Boston. 


WHAT  THE   SCHOOL  DID  AT   HOME 


WHAT  THE   SCHOOL  DID  AT  HOME 

OUR  records  show  that  the  School  sent  into  the 
various  branches  of  service  some  eight  hun- 
dred men;  and  while  to  them  fell  the  major 
portion  of  work,  and  belongs  the  greater  glory,  it 
must  not  be  thought  that  the  boys  and  teachers  who 
were  obhged  to  remain  on  the  job  were  altogether 
idle.  Their  service  was  undramatic,  but  it  was  offered 
in  the  same  spirit  of  loyalty  that  was  revealed  by 
their  more  fortunate  comrades  who  risked  their  lives 
on  land  and  sea.  It  may  be  worth  while,  therefore, 
to  chronicle  briefly  the  different  activities  in  which 
the  members  of  the  School  engaged  here  in  Massa- 
chusetts, —  three  thousand  miles  from  the  centre  of 
conflict. 

Registration  Cards 

By  far  the  most  important  single  piece  of  work 
and  one  thoroughly  deserving  commemoration  was 
the  job  of  tabulating  the  returns  from  the  first  draft 
of  June  5,  1917. 

June  7,  all  registration  cards  for  the  State  were 
brought  to  the  High  School  of  Commerce.  Here 
the  cards  were  copied  in  dupHcate,  and  from  them 
hsts  in  quadruphcate  were  typewritten.     The  work 

149 


150  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL    OF 

went  on  until  July  21,  191 7,  engaging  the  service  of 
500  Commerce  boys  and  a  large  number  of  clerks 
furnished  by  business  offices  of  the  city. 

Unusual  precautions  were  taken  to  protect  the 
cards.  At  night  each  room  was  sealed;  the  build- 
ing was  guarded  day  and  night.  As  a  result  of  the 
unusual  care,  not  a  single  card  was  lost. 

The  efficiency  and  industry  of  the  boys  of  the 
School  were  highly  commended  by  the  Bureau  of 
Statistics  of  the  Massachusetts  Division  of  Labor, 
which  had  general  direction  of  registration. 

Exemption  Board  —  Division   14 

In  addition  to  the  task  of  assisting  in  supervis- 
ing the  tabulation  connected  with  the  draft  cards, 
the  teachers  of  Commerce  performed  all  the  clerical 
work  for  the  Exemption  Board  of  Division  14. 
This  work  went  with  such  dispatch  and  precision 
that  the  Board  was  cited  for  particular  praise  by 
the  authorities  at  Washington. 

Second  Liberty  Loan 

The  Liberty  Loan  Committee  for  Boston  re- 
quested the  services  of  twenty  boys  for  publicity 
work  in  connection  with  the  Loan  drive.  The  boys 
(seniors)  more  than  fuffilled  expectations,  and  were 
warmly  commended  for  their  effectiveness. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  151 

Third  Liberty  Loan 

In  the  Third,  Fourth,  and  Fifth  Liberty  Loan 
campaigns,  Mr.  James  E.  Downey  was  given  a  most 
important  commission,  being  appointed  member  of 
the  Executive  Committee  for  the  Massachusetts 
schools.  This  Committee  was  a  subsidiary  of  the 
Loan  Committee  for  New  England. 

One  of  the  pieces  of  literature  sent  out  by  the 
Committee  was  a  letter  addressed  to  the  school 
children  of  the  State  —  a  letter  written  by  one  of 
the  teachers  of  the  School,  and  put  into  the  hands 
of  300,000  pupils.  A  reprint  of  this  letter  is  on 
page  152. 

Special  Work 

Several  men  in  the  School  —  Mr.  Berge-Soler, 
Mr.  Donlan,  and  Mr.  Hatheway  —  gave  a  good  deal 
of  time  to  help  the  Post  Office  authorities  in  the  way 
of  translating  documents  and  letters.  Mr.  Downey 
during  the  summer  of  191 8  was  engaged  in  work  at 
Washington  for  the  War  Industries  Board.  Mr. 
Lyman  G.  Smith,  lately  deceased,  did  considerable 
work  at  Harvard  in.  connection  with  the  Chemical 
Warfare  Service.  Mr.  Clarke  cheerfully  gave  the 
summer  of  19 18  to  supervise  the  Commerce  Farm 
Camp,  of  which  a  description  may  be  found  among 
the  reprints  from  the  Tradesman. 


152  THE  HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

UNCLE  SAM 

U.  S.  A. 

Dear  Friend, 

You  Want  to  Help  Win  the  War. 

Every  one  must  put  his  shoulder  to  the  wheeL 
We  are  fighting  a  nation  in  which  every  man, 
woman  and  child  counts.  We  cannot  hope  for 
victory  unless  each  one  of  us  contributes  —  not  a 

Httle but  ALL  HE   CAN. 

You  cannot  fight  —  yet.  You  cannot  go  to 
the  front  —  now. 

But  remember  that  money  fights.  Without 
money,  our  brothers  in  the  trenches  are  helpless. 
For  money  provides  the  food,  the  guns,  the  ammu- 
nition, and  the  ships  to  carry  all  these  things. 

Here  is  Where  You  Come  In. 

For  the  last  Liberty  Loan,  over  $30,000  was 
subscribed  through  fourteen  schools  in  one  city. 

If  you  will  help  — you  —  many  times  thirty  thou- 
sand dollars  can  be  raised  for  the  Third  Liberty  Loan. 

How  Can  You  Help? 

You  can  buy  a  bond  —  yourself. 

You  can  persuade  your  father  to  buy  a  bond. 

You  can  ask  your  relatives  to  buy  a  bond. 

You  can  ask  your  neighbors  to  buy  a  bond. 

Will  you  help  to  put  your  neighborhood  on  the 
bond  map? 

Will  You  Be  a  Soldier  for  the  Third 
Liberty  Loan? 

Your  dearest  friend, 
w.  H.  c.  Uncle  Sam 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  153 

JoFFRE  Flags 

On  the  memorable  occasion  of  Marshal  JofFre's 
visit  to  Boston,  our  boys  made  possible  one  pic- 
turesque incident  by  distributing  to  the  school- 
children of  the  city  80,000  French  flags.  These 
flags  were  used  in  greeting  the  Marshal  when  he 
rode  through  the  streets  of  Boston. 


GEORGE  I.  McLaughlin 


REPRINTS   FROM   THE  "TRADESMAN" 


REPRINTS   FROM  THE   "TRADESMAN" 
Our  First  Service   Flag 

THE  High  School  of  Commerce  is  the  proud 
possessor  of  a  service  flag.  The  flag  at  present 
has  five  stars  on  it,  representing  five  members  of 
the  faculty. 

Mr.  William  B.  Corbett  is  at  Camp  Devens, 
Ayer,  where  he  is  an  officer  with  the  rank  of  id 
Lieutenant. 

Mr.  Louis  Fish  has  donned  a  sailor's  suit.  He 
is  busily  engaged  at  Commonwealth  Pier  as  a  ist 
Class  Yeoman. 

Mr.  Hall  and  Mr.  Corhss  are  training  at  Platts- 
burg  for  commissions. 

Mr.  Walter  L.  McLean  is  a  member  of  the 
Naval  Reserves.  Mr.  McLean,  although  officially 
assigned  to  this  school,  has  not  yet  done  any  teach- 
ing here. 

A  Commerce  Boy  in  the  Trenches 

BENNY"  LEPROHON,  a  member  of  the  class 
of  19 14,  is  the  first  Commerce  boy  to  get  into 
the  trenches  in  the  great  war  that  is  being  now 
waged.     In  191 3  Leprohon,  while  a  member  of  the 

IS7 


158  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

third  year  class,  moved  with  his  family  to  Montreal, 
where  he  continued  his  work  at  a  business  school. 
At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  his  father  enhsted,  and 
soon  saw  service  in  France.  Later  "Benny"  en- 
hsted, and  for  a  year  was  in  training  in  the  military 
camps  in  Amherst,  N.  S.,  and  Valcartier,  Quebec. 
At  the  latter  place  he  was  a  captain  in  the  150th 
Battalion,  Canadian  Expeditionary  Force.  Last 
October  the  battahon  was  sent  to  England,  and 
in  December  Leprohon  was  sent  to  France  as  a 
captain  in  the  3d  Canadian  Pioneers.  From  latest 
reports  he  is  with  the  22d  Canadian  Battalion, 

To  Mr.  Lacey,  who  visited  Captain  Leprohon 
at  Camp  Valcartier  last  August,  Colonel  Barre  of 
the  150th  Battalion  gave  most  glowing  reports  of 
the  former  Commerce  boy.  Colonel  Barre  said, 
"Although  Captain  Leprohon  is  only  22  years  of 
age,  he  is  one  of  the  best  officers  in  the  battalion. 
He  has  a  wonderful  influence  over  the  men.  He 
has  organized  a  baseball  league  among  the  various 
companies,  and  has  also  conducted  track  and  field 
games  at  the  camp.  It  has  been  surprising  to  us 
to  see  how  many  of  the  men  remain  in  camp  to 
witness  the  league  games  instead  of  going  to  Quebec 
for  Saturday  and  Sunday."  Captain  Leprohon  was 
the  only  officer  playing  in  the  league,  and,  inci- 
dentally, was  leading  the  league  in  hitting  and 
base-stealing. 

While  in  Commerce,  Captain  Leprohon  played 
football  and  was  one  of  the  Tradesman  artists.  He 
designed  the  frontispiece  of  the  Tradesman  used 
in  1912-13. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  159 


Our  Flag  Dedication  Exercises 

ON  Wednesday,  April  4th,  the  formal  presen- 
tation to  the  school  of  the  national  and  state 
flags  bought  by  the  boys  took  place. 

The  exercises  were  opened  by  the  singing  of 
"America,"  under  direction  of  Mr.  Rowse.  Head 
Master  Downey  spoke  of  the  fitness  of  having  the 
exercises  on  a  day  when  the  question  of  war  or 
peace  would  be  settled  by  Congress,  and  warmly 
commended  the  patriotic  zeal  of  the  boys  of  the 
school  in  buying  these  flags  and  thus  estabhshing 
a  tradition.  Walter  Downey,  who  originated  the 
idea  of  presenting  the  flags  to  the  school,  was 
called  on  to  act  as  spokesman  for  the  boys  of  the 
school.  He  told  the  story  of  his  efforts  in  finally 
starting  a  fund  in  consequence  of  the  lack  of  flags 
in  the  school  hall. 

Messrs.  Ely  and  Hatheway  supported  him  in 
the  movement,  and  a  sum  of  $93  was  raised  to 
purchase  silk  flags  of  nation  and  state.  He  pre- 
sented the  flags  to  the  faculty  as  a  symbol  of  the 
loyalty  of  the  boys  of  the  school  and  as  an  expression 
of  the  high  ideals  of  patriotism  which  accompany  it. 
as  rehcs  for  future  generations  who  may  attend  this 
school. 

Mr.  Ely  accepted  the  flags  in  behalf  of  the  fac- 
ulty, at  the  same  time  expressing  his  loyalty  and 
ours  to  the  flag,  which  stands  for  the  rights  of 
humanity,    rights    for   which    the    people    of    this 


i6o  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

country  have  always  fought  and  will  fight:  life, 
liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  Now  at  a 
time  when  people  are  thinking  deeply  of  war,  we 
see  the  Stars  and  Stripes  flying  everywhere,  which 
portends  that  at  last  we  must  assert  our  rights, 
and  maintain  our  principle  of  government  of  the 
people  by  the  people  against  despotism  and  divine 
right  of  kings. 

The  "Song  to  the  Flag"  was  then  rendered  by 
Mr.  James  Mahoney,  one  of  the  teachers  in  the 
school,  and  judging  by  the  encore  he  received,  his 
performance  was  greatly  appreciated. 

Head  Master  Downey  next  presented  Mr.  Frank 
V.  Thompson,  the  school's  first  head  master,  to  the 
boys  of  the  school.  Head  Master  Downey  remarked 
that  Mr.  Thompson  served  as  a  first  sergeant  in  the 
Spanish-American  War.  Mr.  Thompson  opened  his 
address,  quoting  the  motto  on  the  state  flag: 
"With  the  sword  she  seeks  peace  and  quiet  under 
hberty."  Today  the  principles  of  democracy  are 
what  are  at  stake,  and  with  such  principles  in  mind 
the  men  of  this  country  are  willing  to  fight.  This 
war  will  introduce  a  new  era,  one  of  universal  train- 
ing and  of  greater  efficiency.  The  age  of  careless- 
ness and  ease  is  past.  The  adoption  of  universal 
training,  which  is  practically  a  decided  thing,  is 
directly  in  concord  with  the  principles  of  our 
country,  —  every  man  contributing  a  small  share  of 
military  service  instead  of  a  few  sacrificing  a  great 
deal.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  man  to  "do  his  bit" 
in  the  present  crisis,  whether  it  is  to  fight  in  the 
service  or  to  help  in  the  raising  of  foodstuff^s. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE    WAR  i6i 

Mr.  Thompson  was  followed  by  Commander 
Haskill  of  Allston  Post,  G.A.R.,  who  made  a  few 
short  remarks  on  the  general  subject  of  loyalty  to 
the  colors. 

Under  Head  Master  Downey's  direction  the  as- 
sembly stood  at  attention  and  repeated  the  Oath 
of  Allegiance:  "I  pledge  allegiance  to  my  flag  and 
to  the  republic  for  which  it  stands;  one  nation,  indi- 
visible, with  hberty  and  justice  for  all." 

The  exercises  closed  with  the  singing  of  "The 
Star  Spangled  Banner"  under  the  direction  of 
Mr.  Rowse,  the  occasion  being  one  long  to  be  re- 
membered as  one  of  the  most  impressive  gatherings 
in  the  history  of  the  school. 

Draft  Work 

AGAIN  Commerce  boys  have  come  to  the  front 
in  volunteer  patriotic  work.  Not  content  with 
the  success  they  had  in  securing  several  hundred 
dollars'  worth  of  subscriptions  in  the  Liberty  Loan 
drive  last  October,  a  number  of  our  seniors  recently 
rendered  very  valuable  aid  to  the  Legal  Advisory 
Board  of  Boston.  Some  boys  acted  as  stenographers 
for  the  executive  committee  while  others  made  them- 
selves useful  as  office  assistants  and  messengers. 
This  work  gave  the  boys  a  chance  to  serve  the 
government  and  at  the  same  time  put  their  knowl- 
edge of  business  technique  into  actual  practice. 
Incidentally,  their  work  gave  them  a  chance  to 
rub  elbows  with  some  of  the  most  prominent  lawyers 


1 62  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

of  Greater  Boston,  who  were  working  several  hours 
a  day  absolutely  gratis  aiding  draft  registrants  to 
fill  out  properly  their  respective  questionnaires. 


The  High  School  of  Commerce  Farming  Camp 

John  M.  McIsaac,  '19 

DURING  the  first  week  of  June  a  call  was  sent 
out  to  the  boys  over  sixteen  years  of  age  in 
the  High  School  of  Commerce  to  volunteer  their 
services  for  the  summer  to  do  farm  work.  About 
fifteen  boys  answered  this  call,  and  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  Working  Boys'  Reserve.  A  camp 
was  to  be  estabhshed  by  the  High  School  of  Com- 
merce in  Hatfield,  Mass.,  and  Mr.  Clark,  one  of 
the  teachers,  was  to  be  in  charge.  The  boys  who 
enhsted  were  summoned  to  the  Hbrary  on  June  6, 
and  were  told  what  equipment  was  needed  to  take 
with  them,  and  how  to  reach  Hatfield,  a  town  on 
the  Connecticut  River,  north  of  Springfield. 

On  June  9  the  fifteen  boys  from  the  High  School 
of  Commerce  and  six  fellows  from  the  Boys'  Latin 
School  met  at  the  South  Station,  and  boarded  our 
train.  At  the  station  in  Hatfield  we  were  met  by 
one  of  the  farmers  in  the  town  with  a  large  auto 
truck. 

For  our  headquarters  we  had  an  old  two-story 
schoolhouse,  with  two  rooms  on  each  floor.  One 
of  the  rooms  on  the  lower  floor  was  used  as  a  wash- 
room, the  other  was  a  recreation  room,  where  the 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  163 

boys  boxed,  wrote  their  correspondence  and  read. 
On  the  upper  floor,  one  of  the  rooms  was  a  dormi- 
tory, with  twenty  beds,  a  writing  table  and  a  few 
chairs.  The  other,  the  mess  hall,  had  three  tables, 
seating  forty-five  fellows.  The  rooms  were  all  kept 
clean.  Later,  when  the  camp  grew  larger,  five  tents, 
containing  seven  cots  each  and  having  an  officer  in 
charge,  were  set  up  on  the  lawn. 

Life  in  camp  on  all  working  days  followed  a 
regular  routine.  We  rose  at  5:40  o'clock,  when 
reveille  was  blown  by  our  bugler,  and  took  fifteen 
minutes  to  wash  and  dress.  We  then  assembled 
on  the  lawn  before  the  camp,  and  had  the  solemn 
ceremony  of  raising  the  colors,  followed  by  a  five- 
minute  setting-up  drill,  given  by  our  captain.  Mess 
call  was  then  blown,  and  we  marched  up  stairs  to 
breakfast,  which  consisted  of  a  cereal  and  some 
plain  but  wholesome  food,  followed  by  coff^ee  or 
cocoa.  After  breakfast  everybody  was  obliged  to 
wash  his  own  dishes,  as  is  done  in  the  army. 

The  fellows  then  separated  for  their  respective 
jobs,  for  the  farms  were  scattered  all  over  the  sur- 
rounding country,  and  began  work  at  7  o'clock. 
We  worked  until  12,  when  we  ate  our  lunch,  which 
we  had  put  up  the  evening  before.  Work  was  again 
resumed  at  i  o'clock,  and  at  5:30  our  work  for  the 
day  was  done,  and  we  all  made  our  way  to  camp. 
We  washed  and  cleaned  up  for  supper. 

The  big  problem  in  a  camp  of  this  kind  is  the 
food  problem.  In  some  camps  it  was  the  cause  of 
many  departures,  but  at  Camp  Thompson,  as  we 


i64  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

named  our  camp,  not  one  fellow  left  on  account  of 
poor  food.  All  credit  is  due  our  cook,  Raymond 
Kempton  of  Winthrop,  for  the  excellent  service  he 
gave.  The  food  was  of  good  quality,  wholesome  and 
abundant.  The  cost  of  our  board  was  three  dollars 
and  fifty  cents  per  week. 

In  the  evening  the  boys  spent  their  time  from 
7  to  8:45  as  they  liked.  Many  indulged  in  baseball 
practice.  We  had  a  good  team,  which  defeated 
the  teams  from  all  the  surrounding  camps,  and  won 
the  championship  of  the  valley.  Others  boxed  or 
wrote  letters,  while  many  walked  about  the  town. 

Of  course  no  camp  can  succeed  unless  it  has  dis- 
cipline. The  rules  of  our  camp  were  few,  but  neces- 
sary. They  were:  No  cigarette  smoking,  punctuality 
at  all  bugle  calls,  silence  after  taps.  Other  rules 
related  to  profanity,  idleness,  and  hours  of  freedom. 
Breaking  these  rules  was  punishable  by  three  grades 
of  penalties.  The  first  for  minor  offences,  such  as 
swearing  or  being  late  for  bugle  calls,  consisted  of 
from  one  half  to  three  hours'  fatigue  duty,  such  as 
helping  the  cook,  or  doing  guard  duty  after  work. 
The  next  severer  penalty,  given  for  repeated  dis- 
obedience of  minor  rules,  or  for  smoking  the  first 
time,  was  loss  of  freedom  from  one  to  three  weeks, 
as  the  officers  who  decided  these  cases  judged  appro- 
priate. The  last  and  severest  penalty  was  to  be 
sent  home.  This  penalty  was  inflicted  for  smoking 
the  second  time  or  for  some  other  serious  offence. 
I  am  glad  to  say  that  this  punishment  was  inflicted 
only  three  times  at  Camp  Thompson. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  165 

The  spirit  in  this  camp  was  fine.  The  boys  took 
hold  in  first-class  shape,  and  earned  the  reputation 
of  having  the  best  camp  in  the  state.  To  maintain 
discipHne,  officers,  consisting  of  a  captain,  two  heu- 
tenants,  five  sergeants,  and  six  corporals,  were  ap- 
pointed by  Mr.  Clark.  It  was  their  duty  to  see 
that  the  rules  of  the  camp  were  obeyed,  report  all 
violations,  see  that  beds  were  made  and  the  camp 
kept  clean. 

The  work  for  the  fellows  at  Camp  Thompson 
was  on  tobacco  and  onions,  for  which  the  Connecti- 
cut Valley  is  noted.  At  first  the  work  consisted 
mainly  of  hoeing,  weeding  and  planting.  These 
three  jobs  were  considered  hard,  as  they  caused 
bHsters,  sunburn  and  backache,  but  as  we  got  used 
to  it  they  became  much  easier.  After  hoeing,  weed- 
ing and  planting  there  came  miscellaneous  tasks, 
until  the  time  of  harvest,  when  the  tobacco  was 
picked  and  hung  in  the  sheds  to  cure,  and  the  onions 
were  pulled  up,  clipped  and  bagged.  The  work  in 
general  was  not  hard,  yet  it  was  no  cinch.  The 
weather  throughout  the  summer  was  fine,  and  only 
a  few  hot  days  caused  any  trouble  for  the  boys. 
The  pay  was  nine  dollars  for  the  first  week,  and  then 
two  dollars  per  day  thereafter,  but  most  of  the  boys 
made  two  fifty  per  day.  Out  of  this  we  had  to  pay 
our  board  and  pay  the  cook.  Every  fellow  made 
at  least  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  the 
summer. 

When  we  finished  our  work  in  Hatfield,  in 
October,  we  bade  the  farmers  there  good-by,  and 


i66  THE  HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

set  out  on  Sunday  afternoon  about  i  o'clock  for 
a  hike  over  the  hills  to  Williamsburg,  a  town  about 
eight  miles  distant,  where  Mr.  Clark  had  obtained 
jobs  of  picking  apples  for  us  all,  arriving  there 
about  4:30.  We  had  nothing  to  carry  as  an  auto 
truck  came  from  Williamsburg  and  took  tents, 
bedding  and  cooking  utensils.  Immediately  on  our 
arrival  we  set  up  the  tents,  made  our  beds  of  hay, 
gathered  wood  and  fetched  water,  for  we  were  living 
and  cooking  in  the  open. 

We  turned  in  early  that  night  as  we  were  tired 
after  the  hike,  and  at  5:30  the  next  morning  all 
were  up  on  time  and  after  breakfast  began  a  new 
sort  of  work.  We  were  shown  how  to  pick  apples 
by  the  owner  of  the  farm.  Each  of  us  was  given  a 
ladder,  and  we  attacked  an  orchard  of  2,000  trees  to 
be  picked  in  three  days.  Many  fellows  fell  from  the 
trees,  as  they  were  inexperienced  in  placing  a  ladder, 
but  no  one  was  hurt.  Then  at  night  came  the  happy 
time  of  the  day,  when  we  all  gathered  around  the 
camp  fire  and  told  stories  and  sang  songs.  The 
good  old  Commerce  songs  were  the  favorites  at  these 
meetings.  These  evenings  were  enjoyed  more  by  the 
boys  than  any  other  time  while  they  were  farming. 

The  three  days  here  passed  rapidly.  The  last 
night  we  built  a  huge  bonfire  and  were  merry  all 
round.  The  next  morning  we  broke  camp,  and  hiked 
back  to  Hatfield  for  our  clothes.  In  Hatfield  we  said 
a  last  good-by  to  our  friends,  packed  up  and  left  for 
home. 

This  summer  was  enjoyed  more  by  the  fellows 


MAX  HIRSCHOVITZ 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  167 

than  any  other  summer  they  have  ever  experienced. 
It  built  them  up,  and  made  them  strong  and  healthy. 
The  boys  also  learned  the  real  good  side  of  a  school 
teacher,  for  they  had  in  Mr.  Clark  the  finest  super- 
visor that  they  could  possibly  have  had. 


ARTHUR   DUFFIE 


LETTERS 


WILLIAM    POHL 


LETTERS 
Letter  from  Max  Hirshovitz,  '17 

ALTHOUGH  it  has  been  many  months  since 
I  left  the  United  States,  I  have  often  thought 
that  it  was  my  duty  to  write  to  the  school  of  which 
I  am  a  graduate.  The  teachers  and  pupils  of  the 
High  School  of  Commerce  may  be  a  Httle  surprised 
to  hear  that  the  news  of  their  successful  football 
season  was  carried  cross  the  ocean,  despite  the 
submarines,  across  a  country  unknown,  to  a  soldier 
boy  who  was  anxiously  awaiting  it,  "Somewhere 
in  France."  It  was  through  a  newspaper  which 
was  given  to  me  by  a  comrade  that  I  saw  the 
big  score  with  which  Commerce  beat  Needham. 
Louis  MacDowell,  Commerce,  19 13,  who  was  there 
at  the  time,  remarked  that  "Skip"  was  up  to  his 
old  tricks.  MacDowell  is  a  member  of  the  104th 
Infantry  Medical  Corps,  A.E.F,  It  was  through 
a  letter  from  home  that  I  read  of  the  defeat  of 
Enghsh  and  the  tie  game  with  B.C.  High.  I  wish 
to  congratulate  Mr.  Sherlock  and  the  High  School 
of  Commerce  for  their  champion  football  team  and 
Ring  for  his  wonderful  playing. 

I  am  sorry  that  I  cannot  write  all  that  I  would 
like  to  because  the  censor  would   not   pass   it.      I 

171 


172  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

cannot  tell  what  I  am  doing  or  what  I  may  do,  or 
even  tell  much  about  myself. 

I  am  quartered  in  a  barn.  As  the  janitor  hasn't 
been  looking  after  the  steam  heat  we  are  content 
with  the  cold  of  the  winter.  I  was  sorry  to  read 
in  a  Boston  newspaper  that  the  boys  at  Ayer  were 
forced  to  be  three  hours  without  steam  heat  and 
they  have  the  sympathy  of  myself  and  my  comrades. 

The  first  few  weeks  of  our  arrival  we  were  content 
with  Canned  Willie  (corned  beef  hash)  and  hard- 
tack for  our  "three  squares"  each  day,  but  now  our 
food  is  excellent  in  quality  and  we  have  all  we 
desire  to  eat.  The  high  cost  of  Turkey  didn't  worry 
the  boys  in  France,  for  their  Uncle  Sammy  was  on 
the  job  and  they  had  plenty  of  Turkey  for  Thanks- 
giving Day  and  Christmas. 

It  may  be  interesting  for  the  school  to  know 
that  John  W.  Dineen,  '14,  is  also  a  member  of  my 
company.  If  I  hear  of  any  Commerce  graduates 
in  France  I  will  send  their  names  to  you.  I  hope 
that  I  will  hear  from  the  school. 


Extract  from  Letter  of 
Ralph  McCormack,  '14 

A  TREMENDOUS  amount  of  hard  work  faces 
us  here  at  Pensacola  before  we  become  full- 
fledged  pilots  and  wear  the  coveted  wings.  Before 
leaving  Key  West  we  mastered  thoroughly  the  art 
of  straight  flying  and  ventured  into  the  realms  of 


PAUL   F.   ANDREWS 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  173 

acrobatic  flying.  Here  the  most  ambitious  of  us 
became  fairly  proficient  in  "tail  spins,"  "flipper  spir- 
als," "loops"  and  "reversement,"  which  is  the 
Navy's  version  of  the  Immelman  turns.  I  will 
not  attempt  to  describe  the  sensation  of  flying. 
That  has  been  too  well  done  by  the  current  aviator 
—  journalists.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  after  the  first 
few  "solo  hops,"  the  novelty  soon  wears  ofl"  and 
from  then  on  "stunt"  flying  is  the  only  thing 
that  furnishes  "the  thrill  that  comes  once  in  a  life- 
time." My  only  approach  to  trouble,  so  far,  came 
on  my  second  "solo."  I  nose-dived  with  the  "gun 
on"  (motor  wide  open)  to  escape  venturing  into 
a  cloud  which  at  that  time  represented  "no  man's 
land"  to  me.  Consequently  I  dropped  from  3200 
feet  to  1200  feet  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  tell 
about  it.  Finally  I  managed  to  pull  out  O.K.  and 
so  absorbed  another  lesson  in  the  costly  school  of 
experience. 

Letter  from  Arthur  Duffie,  '15 

France,  Sept.  14,  19 18. 
Dear  Mr.  Downey: 

A  year  ago  last  April  I  enfisted  in  the  cavalry, 
which  later  became  a  machine  gun  outfit.  After 
serving  about  a  year  as  a  machine  gunner,  I  was 
transferred  into  the  artillery,  and  I  now  have  charge 
of  two  machine  guns  in  the  battery.  During  the 
last  drive  I  did  quite  a  lot  of  anti-air  craft  work  with 
the  machine  gun,  and  on  several  occasions  I  had  the 


174  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

pleasure  of  seeing  a  hostile  plane  fall  in  front  of  my 
gun.  I  have  been  in  France  for  a  year  now,  and 
most  of  that  time  I  have  spent  at  the  front.  We 
were  engaged  in  the  recent  large  Franco-American 
drive,  during  which  our  division  advanced  thirty 
miles.  The  "Yankee  Division"  (26th),  which  is 
composed  of  New  England  volunteers,  has  made  a 
great  reputation,  and  has  several  times  been  cited 
by  high  army  officials. 

At  present  we  are  in  another  big  offensive  which 
started  four  days  ago.  Already  we  have  advanced 
nearly  ten  miles  and  are  still  going  towards  Germany. 
Today  I  am  guarding  some  ammunition  which  was 
left  behind  when  the  battery  made  its  last  move. 
I  will  be  glad  to  get  back  on  the  guns  tomorrow. 

I  believe  the  turning  of  the  war  has  come,  and 
from  now  on  Fritz  will  receive  some  terrible  pun- 
ishment. We  have  captured  a  large  number  of 
prisoners  the  last  few  days.  They  were  quite  old 
men  and  were  very  happy  to  be  captured.  They 
are  dressed  well  and  apparently  are  well  fed.  I 
haven't  seen  a  paper  for  nearly  two  weeks,  so 
therefore  I  only  know  what  is  happening  in  our 
immediate  sector. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  175 

Letter  from  William  Pohl,  '13 

"Over  Here,"  June  10,  1918. 

Mr.  James  E.  Downey, 

High  School  of  Commerce, 
Boston,  Massachusetts. 

Dear  Mr.  Downey: 

You,  no  doubt,  wouldn't  recognize  me  if  we 
were  face  to  face  again  and  you  probably  wouldn't 
recollect  my  name  out  of  the  many  hundreds  of 
names  contained  in  the  record  of  the  alumni  in  your 
office.  Nevertheless,  I  am  glad  to  be  one  of  those 
who  graduated  from  the  High  School  of  Commerce 
in   1911. 

I  picked  up  a  paper  from  the  floor  of  the  local 
Y.M.C.A.  tent  this  morning  and  the  first  thing 
I  saw  on  it  was  "Commerce  High  Helps  Drive," 
and  needless  to  say  it  held  my  attention.  In  the 
fittle  write-up  under  this  was  the  account  of  your 
services  in  helping  the  Liberty  Loan. 

I  also  found  the  first  account  of  the  death  of 
three  fellow  alumni  that  have  been  over  here.  I 
had  no  means  of  knowing  how  much  the  school 
was  affected  by  the  war.  As  for  myself,  I  joined 
the  Mifitia,  went  to  the  border  in  19 16,  and  of 
course  got  called  out  again  last  July  and  came 
to  France  among  the  first.  I've  seen  some  service 
already  as  you  have  doubtless  read  of  the  activities 
of  the  New  England  division.      I  met  Harry  Horn 


176  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

(you  are  well  acquainted  with  him)  in  an  old  town 
back  of  the  Hues  and  it  was  some  surprise  to  me  as 
I  didn't  know  he  was  even  in  the  service  yet.  It's 
strange  the  way  one  meets  another  over  here. 

You  could  make  a  systematic  search  for  a  fellow 
for  months  to  no  avail  and  presto  you  bump  into 
him  coming  around  the  corner  of  the  trench  you 
are  coming  through.  Harry  is  in  the  Artillery  and 
I  was  very  glad  to  meet  him.  I  only  know  of  one 
more  of  the  boys  being  over  here  and  he  is  Dodge, 
of  the  Class  of  191 1.  He's  in  the  Hospital  Corps; 
I  saw  him  back  in  Lynnfield  when  the  old  8th  was 
called  out.  I  have  not  seen  him  since.  I  notice  a 
number  of  the  faculty  are  in  the  service.  I  wonder 
who  they  are.  We  are  all  in  it  with  both  feet  over 
here  and  I  know  those  over  there  are  playing  the 
game  too. 

When  you  expected  the  young  men  who  went 
into  the  world  of  business  to  make  good  you  Uttle 
thought  of  the  bigger  job  a  lot  of  them  are  under- 
taking. I  am  confident  they  will  all  make  good 
in  this. 

Co.  G,  308th  Infantry, 
January  21,  19 18. 
Mrs.  Henry  Andrews, 
Brookline,  Mass. 

Dear  Mrs.  Andrews: 

When  your  son,  Paul,  first  came  to  Camp  Upton 
it  was  my  privilege  to  give  him  his  preliminary 
training   and    I    there    learned    to    know    him    and 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  177 

appreciate  his  sterling  qualities  as  a  soldier  and  a 
man.  I  left  the  company  in  June  and  returned 
to  it  in  October.  It  was  a  great  shock  to  me  to 
learn  of  your  son's  death  but  a  source  of  pride  to 
me  to  know  the  way  he  died. 

He,  you  know,  was  in  the  detachment  of  Co.  G, 
which  was  cut  off  with  part  of  the  first  battalion, 
308th  Infantry.  For  six  days  this  group  were  en- 
tirely cut  off  from  the  rest  of  the  regiment  and 
heroically  refused  to  surrender  although  subjected 
to  fire  from  all  sides  —  of  machine  guns,  rifles,  trench 
mortars,  and  even  hand  grenades. 

Sergeant  Healy,  your  son's  platoon  sergeant, 
tells  me  that  he  defended  his  position  fearlessly, 
volunteered  for  and  conducted  dangerous  patrols 
which  brought  back  valuable  information,  and 
through  his  coolness  and  cheerfulness  under  the 
most  distressing  circumstances  helped  steady  the 
men  in  his  platoon  and  keep  them  nerved  for  the 
fight. 

He  was  killed  on  October  5,  1918,  by  a  high 
explosive  shell  and  was  buried  near  where  he  fell 
with  the  other  men  who  paid  the  great  sacrifice 
in  that  heroic  fight.  This  is  in  the  Bois  de  Apre- 
mont,  Foret  d'Argonne.  His  grave  is  marked  with 
a  small  wooden  cross,  which,  as  Bishop  Brent  said 
in  the  memorial  service,  was  the  highest  decoration 
a  man  could  receive. 

Shortly  there  will  be  a  monument  erected  at 
La  Haragre,  near  Verine  le  Chateau  (five  miles  in 
the  rear  of  Bois  de  Apremont),  as  a  memorial   to 


1 78  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

the  men  of  the  308th  Infantry,  on  which  your  son's 
name  will  be  inscribed. 

I  have  written  at  length,  Mrs.  Andrews,  because 
not  only  do  I  feel  the  loss  of  Paul  Andrews  as  a 
soldier  but  also  as  a  friend,  as  it  was  a  privilege  to 
serve  with  a  man  of  his  character.  The  men  of 
the  company  also  feel  his  death  very  keenly  as  he 
was  among  the  most  popular  in  the  company.  He 
was  known  as  "Smiling  Andrews." 
With  greatest  sympathy  I  am 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

Charles  T.  Greenwood 
Cap't  ^o8th  Infantry 
Commanding  Co.  G 


ROLL  OF  HONOR  AND  RECORD 
OF  SERVICE 


The  list  oj  service  men  represents  a  determined  effort — 
extending  over  more  than  three  years — to  collect  the  names 
of  all  Commerce  men  who  took  part  in  the  War;  and  not 
only  to  collect  names,  but  also  to  get  bold  of  accurate  in- 
formation concerning  the  role  oj  each  man  in  the  conflict. 
The  alumni  were  circularized  tbree  times;  a  preliminary 
list  was  published  in  the  Tradesman,  and  to  each  man 
on  our  list  was  sent  a  copy  of  his  personal  record,  thus 
giving  him  a  chance  to  rectify  errors.  In  spite  of  our  ef- 
fort, we  have  no  doubt,  some  omissions  will  be  discovered, 
and  no  doubt,  also,  some  inaccuracies.  These  we  hope 
will  be  forgiven  in  consideration  of  the  fact  that  we  have 
exhausted  all  the  means  within  our  power  to  obtain  full 
and  exact  information. 


ROLL  OF  HONOR 

"  Their  name  liveth  Jorevermore" 

FACULTY 

CoRBETT,  William  B.,  Second  Lieutenant,  loist  Infantry, 
A.E.F.     Fell  near  D'Omont  Woods  at  Verdun. 

Kelly,  Frank  P.,  C.A.C. 

Mahoney,  James  R.,  Lieutenant,  Q.M.C.  Died  No- 
vember II,  1918. 

ALUMNI 

Abbot,    Edmund    B.    (191 5),    Corporal,    U.S.A.      Died 

October  i,  19 18,  Camp  Johnston. 
Andrews,  Paul  F.  (ex  19 12),  U.S.A.,  A.E.F.     Killed  in 

action  October,  19 18. 

Cameron,  Angus  A.  {ex  1915),  U.S.A. 
Crowley,  Joseph  J.  (191 2),  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  Base 
Hospital.     Died  October  7,  191 8. 

Denton,  Gordon  (1916),  Corporal,  loist  Artillery* 
A.E.F.     Fell  October  31,  191 8,  Death  Valley,  Verdun. 

Donovan,  John  (191  i),  Despatch  runner,  58th  Infantry. 
Wounded  by  shell  fragment  during  Meuse-Argonne 


1 82  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

offensive,  attempting  to  procure  water  for  members 
of  his  squad.  Died  from  wound  Dec.  19,  1919. 
Awarded  victory  medal  for  "Aisnc-Marne,"  "St. 
Mihiel,"  "Meuse-Argonne,"  and  Defensive  sector. 

DuFFiE,  Arthur  (191 5),  i02d  Machine  Gun  Bn.  Trans- 
ferred to  loist  F.A.,  A.E.F. 

Frank,  Frederick  (ex  1914),  Canadian  Signal  Corps. 
Died  from  wounds  Oct.  28,  1918  at  Letroport, 
France. 

Hanlon,  Frank  S.  (ex  1919),  U.S.A.,  A.E.F.     Killed  in 

action  July  15,   191 8. 
Henry,  Andrew  A.  (ex  19 13),  Sergeant,   14th  Machine 

Gun  Bn.     Killed  in  action  October  12,  191 8. 
Hesford,  William  (ex  1920),  Welsh  Fusiliers  (British). 

Killed  in  action  at  Chateau-Thierry,  September  15, 

1918. 
HiRSHOViTZ,  Max  (1917),  Corporal,  104th  Infantry,  A.E.F. 

Killed  in  action  August  5,  191 8. 

James,  Edward  (ex  19 18).  U.S.  Marine  Corps.  Killed 
in  skirmish  with  bandits  in  San  Domingo. 

Johnson,  Francis  L.  (ex  191 6),  U.S.A.  Died  April  25, 
1919. 

Kane,  Frank  G.  (1913),  104th  Infantry,  A.E.F.  Killed 
in  action  at  Apremont,  April  13,  191 8. 

Kline,  George  (ex  19 17),  Canadian  Volunteers.  Killed 
in  action  November  14,  19 17,  after  eight  months  in 
trenches. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  183 

McCoRMACK,  Ralph  L.  (1914),  Ensign,  U.S.N. R.F.,  Air 
Service.  Drowned  in  Pensacola  Bay,  February  7, 
1919. 

McLaughlin,  George  (1909),  Chief  Yeoman,  U.S.N. R.F. 
Died  in  service,  September,   191 8. 

Petts,  Robert  {ex  19 16),  U.S.N. R.F.    Died  in  service. 
PoHL,  William  (191 3),  103d  Infantry,  A.E.F.     Killed  in 
action  at  Chateau-Thierry  July  30,  1918. 

Shea,  Walter  (ex  1916),  U.S.A.,  Air  Service.  Killed 
January,   1918. 

Workman,  George  P.  ( 1 9 1 8) ,  S. A.T.C.  Died  of  influenza, 
November,  19 18. 


RECORD  OF  SERVICE 

FACULTY 

Casey,  John  B.,  M.O.R.S.,  A.E.F.,  Army  of  Occupation. 
Corliss,     James     C,     First     Lieutenant,     71st     Artil- 
lery, CA.C,  A.E.F. 

FiHELLY,  James  E.,  Canadian  Air  Service. 
Fish,  Louis  J.,  Ensign,  U.S.N. R.F.    Transport  Service, 
American  and  European  Waters. 

Green,  Vincent,  R.R.  &  C.  Service,  A.E.F. 
Grueter,    Leo    H.,    Sergeant,    First    Class,     Medical 
Department. 

Hall,  Ernest  J.,  Captain,  U.S.A.  Camp  Morale  Officer, 
Camp  Devens. 

Hatheway,  Joel,  Captain,  U.S.A.  Stationed  in  Washing- 
ton for  Special  Service  on  Military  Intelligence 
Division  of  General  Staff. 

Hurley,  Frederick,  Sergeant,  Ordnance  Department. 
Transferred  to  M.LD. 

McCarthy,  Edward  J.,  Ensign,  U.S.N.R.F. 
McDevitt,  J.   Edward,  Jr.,  Infantry  Officers'  Training 

School. 
McLean,    Walter.      Ensign,    U.S.N.R.F.,    Service    in 

Foreign  Waters. 
Mahoney,  Thomas  E.,  U.S.  Merchant  Marine. 

184 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  185 

Post,     Edward     A,,     Proving     Grounds     Detachment, 
Bourges,  A.E.F. 

Rennison,  William  J.,  Ensign,  U.S.N.,  Air  Service. 

Snow,  Joseph  S.,  Personnel   Department,  Camp   Jack- 
son, S.C. 
Sullivan,  George  M.,  U.S.A.,  A.E.F.     Wounded. 

Tracy,  Roland  V.,  Air  Service. 
Trumbull,  Samuel  B.,  Ensign,  U.S.N.R.F. 


ALUMNI 

Albiani,  Henry  F.  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 

Alexander,  Edward  (19 15),  loist  Infantry,  A.E.F. 

Altenbach,  William  M.  (ex  1918),  U.S.A.,  Air  Service. 

Anderson,  Carl  (1916),  Second  Lieutenant,  U.S.A.,  Air 
Service,  A.E.F. 

Appel,  Leo  J.  (191 1),  First  Class  Yeoman,  U.S.S. 
Erie. 

Archer,  Samuel  T.,  Jr.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  Uni- 
versity. 

Armstrong,  Stuart  (ex  191 2),  U.S.N. 

Artesani,  Edward  (ex  1920),  U.S.  Merchant  Marine^ 

Atwell,  Everett  C.  (1918),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Aylward,  Harry  (ex  191 4),  Coast  Artillery. 

Aylward,  Herbert  (ex  19 12),  U.S.A. 

Bagnall,   Arthur   R.    (1914),    loist   Engineers.      26th 

Division,  A.E.F. 
Baird,  W.  F.  (ex  1913),  U.S.A. 
Balch,  Malcolm  W.  (1913),  U.S.A. 


i86  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Baldwin,  Walter  C.  (1914),  Third  Class  Gunner's  Mate' 

U.S.N.R.F.     Naval  Railway  Battery. 
Ballas,  Frank  J.  (1914),  U.S.  Merchant  Marine. 
Bamberg,    Henry    F.    (1910),    Statistical    Department, 

Q.M.C.,  A.E.F. 
Barker,  Henry  F.  (ex  1920),  U.S.N.     Newport. 
Barry,  John  J.  (1915),  Chief  Quartermaster,  U.S.N.R.F. 

Atlantic  Fleet. 
Bastable,  John  E.  (1914),  33d  Engineers,  A.E.F. 
Bayer,    George   A.   (1914),    loist   Ammunition   Train, 

A.E.F. 
Beaton,   Albert   E.    (19 17),   Corporal,   62d   Company, 

U.S.  Marine  Corps,  A.E.F. 
Beau,  Carl  W.  (191  i),  U.S.A. 
Bell,    Charles    A.    (19 14),    Lieutenant,    U.S.    Marine 

Corps,  A.E.F. 
Belton,  Joseph  F.  (19 16),  Corporal,  U.S.A. 
Benker,    Frederick    W.    (1915),    S.    A.T.C.,     Boston 

College. 
Benton,  Herbert  C.  (1914),  U.S.A. 
Berg,  Carl  A.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.  Boston  University. 
Berman,  Benjamin  (1916),  S.A.T.C,  Harvard. 
Bernat,  Eugene  (ex  1914),  U.S.A.,  Medical  Corps. 
Bernstein,  Lewis  (ex  1917)  S.A.T.C,  Harvard. 
Birnbach,  Nathan  (1916),  U.S.A. 
Bishop,  Edward  L.  (ex  191 7),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Black,  Edgar  L.   (191 8),  Chauffeur,  Motor  Transport 

Corps,  U.S.A. 
Black,  Harry  C  (1913),  Ensign,  U.S.N.R.F. 
Blackwell,    Frederick    L.    (1917),    S.A.T.C,    Boston 

College. 
Bleet,  Abraham  (ex  1917),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Bloom,  Solomon  (ex  1915),  U.S.N. 
Boelhoff,  Herbert  O.  (1917),  Quartermaster,U.S.N.R.F. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  187 

BoHLD,    Peter  Oliver    (e.v    1919),   Lieutenant,   U.S.N., 

Transport  Service,  Convoy  Duty. 
BoLTZ,  William  (1913),  F.A.R.D.,  Camp  Jackson,  S.C. 
Boyle,  John  M.  (191 5),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 
Bradley,  Bernard  (1912),  U.S.N. ,  Intelligence  Service. 
Bragger,  James  (1914),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 
Bramback,  Arthur  N.  (ex  191 7),  U.S.N. 
Brand,  Edward  (191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 
Braverman,  Julius  D.  (1918),  U.S.A. 
Breen,  Henry  P.  (1910),  U.S.A. 
Brennan,  John  E.  (19 17),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
Brennan,  William  A.  {ex  1912),  U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 
Brien,    Donald    G.     (19 13),   Submarine    Listener    and 

Wireless  Operator,  U.S.S.  Beale,  Service  in  Foreign 

Waters. 
Briggs,  Albert  L.    (ex    1916),    loist  Infantry,   U.S.A., 

A.E.F. 
Broders,  Charles  (191  i),  U.S.A. 
Brody,  J.  H.  (1917),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Tufts  College. 
Brogan,    William    H.    (1915),    Second    Class   Yeoman, 

U.S.N.R.F. 
Brooks,  Charles  J.  (191 1),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 
Brown,    Harold  A.    (1912),   Corporal,    loist   Infantry, 

U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 
Brown,  Milton  H.  (1913),  Q.M.C.,  U.S.A. 
Brown,  Thomas  F.  (ex  1912),  Supply  Co.  330,  Q.M.C., 

A.E.F. 
Bryant,     Edward    H.    (19 17),    S.A.T.C.,    Boston    Uni- 
versity. 
Buckley,  Paul  A.  (ex  1916),  U.S.  Marine  Corps. 
Buckley,  Walter  C.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
Burke,  Edward  F.  J.  (1917),  U.S.N. 
Burke,  John  M.  (ex.  1912),  U.S.N.R.F. 
BuRNHAM,  Howard  P.  (1913),  Cavalry,  U.S.A. 


i88  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Burns,  Francis,  Jr.  (19 13),  Ambulance  Corps,  U.S.A., 

A.E.F. 
Byrnes,  C.  J.  (ex  191 7),  Petty  Officer,  U.S.N. R.F. 

Cadiff,  Joseph  (1915),  Chief  Yeoman,  U.S.N. R.F. 

Caffrey,  John  A.  (1918),  U.S.N. R.F. 

Callahan,  Leo  D.  (ex  1910),  U.S.N. R.F. 

Cameron,   Amos  A.   J.    (1912),    First  Musician,   U.S.S. 

Virginia,  U.S.N. 
Campbell,  Howard  J.  (ex  19 17),  U.S.A. 
Carder,  Nathaniel  S.  (1916),  First  Sergeant,  27th  F.A., 

U.S.A. 
Carlson,  Elmer  R.  (1913),  U.S.A. 
Carlton,  Edward  J.  (1915),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
Carrol,  Thomas  (ex  191 2),  N.H.  Corps. 
Casey,  Walter  J.  (ex  1914),  Field  Clerk,  U.S.A. 
Cashing,  Willis  C.  (1914),  Ensign,  U.S.N. R.F. 
Cassidy,  Joseph  P.  (1916),  Yeoman,  U.S.N. R.F. 
Chafe,  Ralph  (1913),  First  Class  Yeoman,  U.S.N. R.F. 
Chalmers,  Everett  (19 13),  Headquarters  Co.,  I02d  In- 
fantry, A.E.F.     Wounded  by  shrapnel. 
Chamberlain,  Paul  (1910),  Q.M.C.,  U.S.A. 
Chamow,  Harry  (1911),  Sergeant,  Medical  Department, 

U.S.A. 
Chandler,    Joseph    A.    (1916),    First    Lieutenant,    Air 

Service,  Rainbow  Division,  A.E.F. 
Chester,    Harold    (ex    191 7),    Second    Class    Seaman, 

U.S.N.R.F. 
Christensen,  Einar  B.  H.  (1915),  Tank  Corps,  U.S.A. 
Christmas,  Harry  T.  (ex  1914),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Clancy,  John  F.  (ex  191 2),  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F. 
Clark,    Joseph    W.    (19 15),    Corporal,    55th    Artillery, 

C.A.C.,  A.E.F. 
Clark,  Raymond  (ex  1919),  U.S.N. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  189 

Clark,  S.  E.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 
Clarke,  Medville  (ex  19 12),  U.S.A. 
Cleary,  J.  W.,  Jr.  (19 1 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 
Cloonan,    Thomas    J.    (1914),    First    Class    Yeoman, 

U.S.N.R.F. 
Coffey,  John  H.  (19 18),  First  Class  Yeoman,  Navigation 

Department,  U.S.S.  Dakotan. 
Coggeshall,  James,  Jr.  (19 13),  Lieutenant,  Junior  Grade, 

U.S.N.R.F.  Flying  Corps. 
Cohen,  Arthur  A.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 
Cohen,  I.  {ex  1918),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  University. 
Cohen,  Maurice  (191  i),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Coleman,  Ralph  (1916),  301st  Regiment,  U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 
Collins,  Francis  X.  (1912),  Ensign,  U.S.N.R.F. 
Collins,   Thomas   F.    (1915),   Sergeant  Major,   U.S.A., 

Camp  Devens. 
CoLviN,  Allen  S.  (191 8),  S.A.T.C,  Wentworth  Institute. 
Comins,   Robert  E.    (ex   191 6),  S.A.T.C,   Boston  Uni- 
versity. 
CoNLEY,    Edward    M.    (191 6),    First    Class    Yeoman, 

U.S.N.R.F. 
Connelly,  John  W.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C,  Harvard. 
CoNNERS,  Albert  E.  J.  (1918),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 
Connor,  Eugene  (1914),  U.S.N. 
Connor,  Maurice  A.  (191 1),  Ensign,  U.S.N.R.F. 
CooGAN,  J.  Ralston  (19 16),  S.A.T.C,  Harvard. 
Corbert,  Joseph  (ex  191 7),  U.S.A. 
Corbet,  Francis  (ex  1918),  U.S.N. 
Corley,  John  L.  (ex  1920),  U.S.N.R.F. 
CoRwiN,    Mark    C     (19 15),    Second    Class    Yeoman, 

U.S.N.R.F. 
CoRwiN,  Norman  E.  (19 13),  Corporal,  First  Balloon  Co., 

A.E.F. 
CosTELLO,  Walter  (19 12).  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 


I90  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

CouGHLAN,  Frank  (1916),  Sergeant,  U.S.A.,  Q.M.C. 

CouNTiE,  Ralph  L.  (191 2),  U.S.A. 

Coy,  Ralph  (ex  1919),  U.S.A. 

Craig,  Cilarles  (ex  1919),  U.S.A.,  Artillery. 

Crane,  Thomas  {ex  1918),  U.S.  Marine  Corps. 

Craven,  William  J.  (ex  1914),  loist  Ambulance  Corps, 
A.E.F.  Cited  for  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  at 
Wadonville,  France. 

Creighton,  William  (ex  1918),  U.S.N. 

Cronin,  Timothy  H.  (1914),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Cronin,  Walter  (1910),  U.S.A. 

Crosby,  William  F.  (ex  191 7),  U.S.N.R.F.,  U.S.S. 
Georgia. 

Crovo,  Augustus  S.  (1915),  S..A.TC.,  Wentworth  In- 
stitute. 

Crowell,  Stewart  P.  (191 8),  U.S.N.R.F,,  Tufts 
College. 

Crowley,  Edward  J.  (ex  1914),  Lieutenant,  loist  In- 
fantry, A.E.F. 

Crowley,  J.  E.  (ex  1916),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 

Cullinan,  Michael  (1916),  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F.,  U.S.S. 
Delaware. 

Cummings,  John  T.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Cunningham,  Edward  (1910),  301st  Infantry,  U.S.A., 
A.E.F. 

Cunningham,  Thomas  J.  (1914),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 

Cunningham,  William  C.  (19 13),  Sergeant,  Medical  De- 
partment, Third  Pioneer  Infantry,  A.E.F. 

CuRLEY,  Albert  J.  (19 15),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Curley,  William  F.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

CuRTiN,  Frederick  W.  (1913),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Flying 
Corps. 

CusACK,  David  J.  (ex  1914),  Corporal,  C.A.C.,  A.E.F. 

Cusack,  James  (ex  19 18),  C.A.C. 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  191 

Dacey,  Jeremiah  J.   {ex   19 19),   Radio  Operator,  Tank 

Service. 
Dailey,   Charles    (ex    191 2),    Sergeant,    26th   Division, 

A.E.F. 
Daires,  Joseph  F.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 
Daisey,  Edward  F.  (e.v  1918),  U.S.N. R.F. 
Daley,  George  A.  (ex  1919),  56th  Balloon  Co.,  U.S.A. 
Daley,  William  (1913),  Ensign,  U.S.N. 
Dalton,  Edward  (191 2),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 
Dalton,  James  N.  (1916),  U.S.N. R.F.,  Air  Service. 
Damon,  Ernest  A.  (1910),  U.S.A.,  Q.M.C. 
Dana,  Henry  L.  (1915),  Hospital  Apprentice,  U.S.N. R.F. 
Daniels,  Harry  (1914),  Sergeant,  Medical  Corps,  12th 

Division. 
Darrell,  Herbert  H.  (1912),  U.S.A.,  Q.M.C. 
Davies,  Joseph  F.  (1917),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College 
Davis,  Arthur  C.  (191 6),  First  Class  Seaman,  U.S.N. 
Davis,  Nathan  (1916),  First  Class  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F., 

European  Waters. 
Davis,  William  (1915),  Hospital  Ambulance,  A.E.F. 
DeCourcy,  Alfred  (191 2),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 
Deery,  Edward  M.  (1917),  U.S.N. R.F. 
DeFreytas,    Edward    B.    (ex    1916),    U.S.N. R.F.,    Air 

Service. 
Delahunt,  Richard  W.  (1915),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 
DeVeer,  Robert  (1917),  U.S.A.,  Fort  Logan,  Colo. 
Devine,   Charles   G.    (191 5),    Yeoman,    U.S.N.      Con- 
nected with  Naval  Staff  at  Peace  Conference. 
Diamond,  Charles  R.  (ex  1918),  U.S.A.,  Artillery. 
DiCKHAUT,    Edward    (ex    19 19),    Medical   Corps,   Third 

Pioneer  Infantry,  A.E.F. 
Di  GiAcoMO,  John  (19 17),  U.S.N. R.F. 
Dillon,  Kenneth  (1916),  U.S.N. R.F. 
Dillon,  William  A.  (ex  1918),  U.S.N. 


192  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

DiNNEEN,  John  W.  (1914).  U.S.A. 

DiNNEEN,  Joseph  F.  (1915),  Second  Lieutenant,  U.S.A., 
Infantry. 

DoBREiN,  Edward  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 

Dodge,  C.  E.  (ex  191 1),  Hospital  Corps,  U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 

DoHERTY,  Ellis  E.  (1917),  U.S.A. 

DoHERTY,  Thomas  F.  (19 14),  First  Class  Electrician, 
U.S.N. R.F.,  Submarine  Chaser  Detachment,  Medi- 
terranean Waters. 

DoLAN,  Jerome  C.  (191 5),  First  Class  Yeoman,U.S.N.R.F. 

DoLAN,  Leonard  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

DoLAN,  Thomas  F.  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

DoLAN,  Walter  L.  (1914),  U.S.N. R.F. 

DoLPH,  Fred  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 

Donahue,  James  F.  (ex  1920),  U.S.N. R.F. 

DoNAVAN,  Thomas  J.  (1913),  Lieutenant,  U.S.A. 

DoNLAN,  Arthur  (1913),  U.S.N. R.F. 

DoNLAN,  Edmond  J.  (1917),  Chief  Ycoman,  U.S.N. R.F. , 
U.S.S.  Worden. 

DoNNARUMA,  Caesar  (cx  1914),  Gun  Pointer,  U.S.N. R.F. 

Donnelly,  John  J.  (191 1),  First  Lieutenant,  Sunset 
Division,  A.E.F. 

Donoghue,  John  S.  (19 14),  U.S.N. R.F. 

Donovan,  Edward  A.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Donovan,  Edward  M.  (1915),  U.S.N. R.F. 

Donovan,  George  H.  (191 3),  Hospital  Sergeant,  Medical 
Department,  U.S.A. 

Donovan,  Michael  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Donovan,  Paul  (ex  19 14),  loist  Regiment,  U.S.A. 

Downey,  Thomas  (1916),  U.S.N. R.F. 

Downey,  Walter  (1917),  U.S.N. R.F. 

Downing,  J.  M,,  Jr.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Doyle,  Edmund  F.  (ex  19 14),  Air  Service. 

Doyle,  John  (ex  191 8),  C.A.C. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  193 

Doyle,  Peter  (1909),  U.S.A. 

Doyle,   Thomas   E.    (191  i),   U.S.N.R.F.,   U.S.S.   Calvin 

Austin. 
Doyle,  Winfred  (1912),  Ensign,  U.S.N. R.F. 
Drea,  John  J.  (191 1),  U.S.N. R.F. 
Driscoll,  James  U.  (1918),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Boston  College. 
Driscoll,  Thomas  P.  (i9i7)»  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
Driscoll,  William  F.  (ex  19 14),  Sergeant,  Signal  Corps, 

U.S.A. 
Druan,  E.  D.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 
Duffy,  John  J.  (19 18),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
DuGAN,  Raymond  T.  (1911),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 
DuNKEL,  William  O.  (ex  191 3),  Sergeant,  Q.M.C.  Water- 

vliet  Arsenal,  N.Y. 

Eaton,  John  H.,  Jr.  (1915),  Second  Lieutenant,  U.S.A., 
Infantry. 

Edmonds,  Sidney  W.  (1915),  Captain,  M.T.C.,  A.E.F. 
Citation  for  Meritorious  Service. 

Egan,  Edward  L.  (1917),  U.S.N.    Died  January  14,  1921. 

Eldridge,  Charles  F.  (19 15),  Chief  Yeoman,  U.S.S. 
Charleston,  Atlantic  Fleet. 

Elliot,  Edgar  M.  (191 3),  Corporal,  U.S.A. 

Emery,  George  A.  (1911),  Sergeant,  First  Class,  Medical 
Department,  26th  Division,  A.E.F. 

Enroth,  Peter  (19 14),  First  Class  Sergeant,  Q.M.C, 
A.E.F. 

Erickson,  Elmer  (191 2),  Chief  Yeoman,  Supply  Depart- 
ment, U.S.N.R.F. 

Fairfield,  Edward  (1913),  First  Lieutenant,  Pilot,  Air 

Service. 
Fales,  Nelson  (ex  1913),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Farrenkopf,  Rudolph  (191 7),  Chief  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F. 


194  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

Ferreira,  Ralph  A.  (1917),  Hospital  Corps,  Commercy, 

France. 
Ferrer,  Edwin  R.  (ex  1912),  U.S.N. 
Ferry,  Francis  P.   (1914),  Sergeant,  U.S.A.      Engineer 

Property  Department. 
Ferry,  John  J.  (ex  191 1),  Central  Office,  Machine  Gun 

School,  U.S.A. 
Fields,  Douglas  (ex  1916),  503CI  Aero  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
Finnegan,   Leo   (ex    1916),   Sergeant,  Field  Signal   Bn., 

4th  Div.,  Regular  Army,  A.E.F. 
Finney,  William  A.  (ex  1919). 

Fishel,  Albert  L  (1912),  Supply  Co.  314,  Q.M.C.,  U.S.A. 
Fishel,  Raymond  C.  (191  i),  Sergeant,  Q.M.C.,  A.E.F. 

Died  April    18,   192 1. 
Fisher,    M.    R.    (191  i),    36th    Machine   Gun    Brigade, 

A.E.F. 
Fitzgerald,  John  J.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 
Fitzgerald,  Paul  (191 2),  250th  Aero  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
Fitzgerald,  William  J.  (1913),  Second  Lieutenant,  Fly- 
ing Section,  Air  Service,  U.S.A. 
Fitzpatrick,  Arthur  D.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
Flynn,  Allan  (ex  191 5),  U.S.A.,  Artillery. 
Flynn,  William  H.  (ex  1912). 
Follen,    Francis   O.    (19 14),    Sergeant,    Supply   Train, 

78th  Division,  A.E.F. 
Ford,  Daniel  (ex  1913),  U.S.N. R.F. 
Ford,  Thomas  B.  (19 17),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
Foss,  Carl  (1918),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Foss,  Herbert  H.  (1916),  A.  B.  Seaman,  U.S.N. 
Foye,  Harold  B.  (1914),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 
Freedman,  Edward  (191 3),  22d  Machine  Gun  Brigade, 

Camp  Fremont. 
Freeley,  J.  Edward  (ex  1917),  U.S.A.,  Air  Service. 
Friedman,  Abraham  (1916),  U.S.N.R.F. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE   WAR  195 

Friedman,  Frank  S,  (1916),  Second  Class  Petty  OfFicer, 

U.S.N.R.F. 
Froom,    Paul    (ex    19 16),    626   Company,    U.S.    Marine 

Corps,  A.E.F. 

Galligan,  Joseph  J.  (1916),  26th  Division,  U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 
Gassed  at  Chateau-Thierry.  Wounded  by  machine- 
gun  bullets  at  Verdun. 

Gardner,  Russel  (1915),  U.S.A. 

Gately,  Joseph  M.  (19 18),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Gavin,  Albert  (1915),  U.S.A. 

Gavin,  Arthur  L.  (ex  1914),  Bn.  Sergeant  Major,  In- 
fantry, 26th  Division,  A.E.F. 

Gavin,  Walter  (ex  1916),  U.S.A.,  Artillery. 

Geary,  Thomas  F.  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Geissler,  Frederick  E.  (ex  191 4),  U.S.A. 

Geoghegan,  Lawrence  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Gholman,  Nathan  (ex  191 5),  U.S.N.R.F. 

GiLFOY,  Richard  (ex  1919),  Canadian  Volunteers. 

Gill,  Francis  J.  (19 16),  Corporal,  Tank  Corps,  U.S.A. 

Gillespie,  David  (1913),  6th  Engineers,  3d  Division, 
A.E.F.     Wounded  at  Avancourt. 

Gillis,  Allan  (ex  1919),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Gillis,  John  A.  (ex  1917),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Gilpin,  Norman  J,  W.  (1917),  Corporal,  S.A.T.C., 
Harvard. 

Ginsberg,  Robert  M.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  Uni- 
versity. 

Gleason,  Thomas  (1914),  U.S.A. 

Glover,  Thomas  J.  (ex  1919),  U.S.A. 

Godfrey,  Harold  F.  (ex  191 5),  Special  Agent,  Military 
Intelligence  Division,  Dept.  of  the  Northeast. 

Goldenberg,  Isaac  A.  (1918),  U.S.A.,  Signal  Corps. 

Goldings,  Barry  J.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 

Goldhrand,  Harry  (ex  191 1),  U.S.A. 


196  THE   HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

Goldman,  William  (1916),  U.S.N.R.F. 

GoLDRiCK,  John  J.  (ex  1918),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Goldsmith,  Isaac  R.  (191  i),  Sergeant,  U.S.A.,  Q.M.C. 

Goldstein,  Alfred  H.  (1916),  U.S.N.R.F. 

GooDE,  Edward  F.  (1917),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Goodman,  Irving  (1916),  U.S.A.,  Artillery. 

GooKiN,  James  A.,  Jr.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Gordon,  David  (191 6),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 

GoREY,  Andrew  F.  J.  (1916),  U.S.A. 

Gorman,  Joseph  H.  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University 

Gormley,  Andrew  J.  (1915),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 

Gormley,  Frederic  (1914),  Supply  Sergeant,  U.S.A. 

Gormley,  Henry  (1910),  U.S.A. 

Goulart,  George  E.  (ex  1918),  103d  Infantry,  U.S.A., 
A.E.F. 

Gould,  George  E.  (1917),  Sergeant,  U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 
Wounded. 

Graham,  Edward  S.  (191 6),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 

Graham,  Frederick  J.  (1916),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 

Grandberg,  Leon  (1916),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Grant,  Frederick  J.  (1917),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 

Green,  John  F.  (ex  1912),  Second  Lieutenant,  151st  D.B., 
U.S.A. 

Griffin,  John  F.  (1917),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 

Grimm,  Harry  H.  (191  i).  Second  Lieutenant,  Q.M.C, 
A.E.F. 

Grunt,  Benjamin  (19 17),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  University. 

Gunning,  Gerald  I.  (ex  191 4),  Ambulance  Corps. 

Guttentag,  Samuel  A.  (1914),  Sergeant,  71st  Artil- 
lery, CA.C 

Hackett,  N.  R.  (1918),  S.A.T.C,  Harvard. 
Hagerty,   William  J.   (191 3),   Second   Lieutenant,  Air 
Service. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  197 

Hale,  Edwin  D.  (1912),  U.S.A. 

Halliday,  Hugh  J.  (i9i4)»  U.S.A. 

Hannon,  Robert  E.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Hanson,  George  (1915),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Hargraves,  Frederick  (ex  1914),  Lieutenant,  26th  In- 
fantry, A.E.F. 

Harkins,  Herbert  J.   (1914),  Corporal,  U.S.A.,  Camp 
Devens. 

Harrington,  John  A.  {ex  19 18),  69th  Regiment,  U.S.A. 

Harrington,  Thomas  {ex  1920),  U.S.  Marine  Corps. 

Harris,  Joel  G.  (191  i).  Second  Lieutenant,  Air  Service, 
Reserve  Military  Aviation. 

Hart,  Charles  (1915),  U.S.N. 

Hartnett,  Joseph  L.  (19 16),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Harvey,  Maurice  {ex  191 4),  Surgeon's  Asst.,  Medical 
Corps,  A.E.F. 

Harvey,  Roger  (191  i),  U.S.A.,  Q.M.C. 

Hayden,  Clarence  L.  {ex  1917),  Signalman,  U.S.N.R.F., 
U.S.S.  Louisiana. 

Hayes,  George  P.  (1916),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Hayes,  James  E.  (1910),  Q.M.  Sergeant,  Q.M.C,  A.E.F. 

Hayes,  John  (191 6),  loist  Infantry,  A.E.F.     Wounded 
and  lost  a  leg. 

Hayes,  Timothy  M.  (1912),  Air  Service. 

Hayes,  William  (ex  191 8),  U.S.A. 

Heath,  Irving  J.  (1908),  Second  Lieutenant,  Air  Service. 

Heeger,  Paul  (1916),  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F. 

Hefferman,  George  (1914),  26th  Division,  A.E.F. 

Hegarty,  Jeremiah  J.  (1917),  U.S.A. 

Hegarty,  Richard  P.  (1917),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Tufts. 

Heiler,  Nathan  (1914),  First  Class  Musician,  U.S.N.R.F. 

Heller,  Herman  (1916),  Chief  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F. 

Henderson,  Howard  W.  (1914),  Sergeant,  Q.  M.  De- 
tachment, A.P.O.,  A.E.F. 


198  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Hendrie,  R.  E.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Hendry,  Joseph  W.  (191 5),  First  Class  Gunner;  active 
service  on  various  fronts;  afterwards  Auditor,  Sub- 
sistance  Branch  Accounts  Division,  France. 

Hener,  Frank  (1913),  U.S.N. 

Hennessey,  Charles  (ex  19 12),  Ordnance  Department, 
U.S.A. 

Hennessey,  E.  L.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Hennig,  Herman  C.  (ex  191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Amherst, 

Hersey,  Henry  H.  (1914),  Tank  Corps,  U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 

HoADLEY,  Thomas  (19 13),  U.S.A. 

Holland,  Richard  G.  (1918),  U.S.N. 

Hookway,  Harold  (191 2),  Medical  Corps. 

Hooper,  Harold  (191 3),  Medical  Corps,  loist  Engi- 
neers, A.E.F. 

Horn,  Albert  M.  (191 1),  Captain,  Sanitary  Corps,  A.E.F. 

Horn,  Harry  E.  (1913),  Corporal,  loist  Field  Artil- 
lery, A.E.F. 

HoRwiTZ,  Julius  A.  (1917),  First  Class  Sergeant,  U.S.A., 
Air  Service. 

HouT,  Edward  G.  (1917),  U.S.A. 

Howley,  Frank  (ex  1919),  U.S.  Marine  Corps. 

HowLEY,  Joseph  P.  (ex  191 7),  U.S.N. R.F.,  U.S.S. 
Lawrence. 

Hughes,  Llewellyn  A.  (191 5),  Field  Artillery,  A.E.F. 

Hunt,  John  (ex  1918),  U.S.A. 

Hurley,  John  H.  (ex  1916),  Field  Signal  Bn.,  A.E.F., 
Army  of  Occupation. 

Hyland,  William  C.  (19 13),  Corporal,  Provost  Guard, 
Camp  Hancock,  Ga. 

Hyman,  Melvin  (ex  19 16),  Annapolis. 

Ireland,  Henry  P.  (191 1),  212th  Field  Artillery,  Signal 
Corps. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  199 

Irons,  Gordon  F.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Jacobs,    Samuel    {ex    19 16),    Third   Class   Storekeeper, 

U.S.N.R.F.,  U.S.S.  Crane. 
Jacobs,  Victor  (1918),  U.S.N. R.F. 
Jacobson,  Harold  (ex  1920),  U.S.N. R.F. 
Jacobson,  Norman  C.  (191 6),  Naval  Radio  Band. 
Jensen,  Arthur  T.  (191 5),  U.S.A. 
Jesseau,  Henry  (19 12),  Q.  M.  Sergeant,  Q.M.C. 
Johnson,  Edward  (ex  19 16),  U.S.A. 
Johnson,  Harold  N.  (191 3),  U.S.A.,  C.A.C. 
Joyce,  Ernest  (1914),  U.S.N. R.F.,  U.S.S.  Drake. 

Kammler,  Walter  F.  (191 5),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Kane,  Michael  J.  (ex  1914),  U.S.A. 

Kane,  Thomas  H.,  Jr.  (1914),  U.S.A. 

Keane,  T.  R.  (191 6),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Keegan,  George  F.  (ex  19 17),  Second  Class  Quarter- 
master, U.S.N.R.F. 

Keegan,  John  P.  (1915)  Ensign,  U.S.N.R.F.,  U.S.S. 
Maui. 

Kelley,  Francis  X.  (ex  191 1),  Second  Lieutenant, 
U.S.M.C.R.,  Quantico,  Va. 

Kelley,  Theodore  R.  (191  i),  44th  Artillery,  C.A.C, 
A.E.F. 

Kendrick,  Joseph  (191 5),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Air  Service. 

Kenneally,  John  F.  (19 16),  First  Class  Sergeant,  Trans- 
portation Corps,  A.E.F. 

Kennedy,  John  J.  (1913),  U.S.N. 

Kenney,  Edward  A.  (1914),  U.S.N. 

Kerr,  J.  E.  (191 2),  First  Lieutenant,  Royal  Air  Force 
(formerly  Sergeant  MacLean  Highlanders),  Canadian 
Army. 

Kerrigan,  Joseph  (1919),  U.S.A.,  C.A.C. 


200  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

KiLEY,  Joseph  (ex  191 2),  U.S.A. 

KiLHAM,  Charles  R.   (191 7),  U.S.  Marine  Corps,  San 

Domingo. 
KiMPEL,  Fred  E.  (ex  191 8),  U.S.A.,  Air  Service. 
King,  Edward  (1912),  U.S.A. 
Kingsbury,  Kenneth  (ex  1918),  U.S.N. 
Kinsley,  A.  Thomas  (1919),  U.S.N.R.F. 
KiRBY,  Donald  R.  (ex  1918),  U.S.N.R.F. 
KiTTREDGE,  Frank  (ex  1912),  Chief  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F., 

U.S.S.  America. 
Knowles,  Edward  J.   (ex   1920),  Canteen  Service,  Red 

Cross. 
KoHLER,   Otto   H.    (191 2),    U.S.A.,   Ordnance,    Raritan 

Arsenal,  N.J. 
Krop,    Benjamin    (19 16),    Chief   Stenographer,    Boston 

Army    Supply    Base;     afterwards    Sergeant,    Tufts 

S.A.T.C. 

Laffey,  Thomas  W.  (1912),  U.S.A. 

Lahaise,  Arthur  (ex  191 7),   loist  Artillery,  A.E.F. 

Laird,  Noel  (191 6),  Corporal,  U.S.  Tank  Corps, 
A.E.F. 

Lamb,  Herbert  W.  (ex  191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Bowdoin. 

Landers,  Robert  P.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Lane,  Henry  T.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Lane,  Joseph  V.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Lane,  Martin  J.  (1917),  Corporal,  198th  Aero  Squadron. 

Laneigan,  John  (ex  19 13),  loist  Regiment,  A.E.F. 

Lang,  Edward  P.  (191 2),  Medical  Detachment,  loist 
F.A.,  A.E.F.    Wounded  July  15,  1918. 

Larkin,  James  W.  (1914),  U.S.A.,  C.A.C. 

Lavery,  Herbert  A.  (1909),  Corporal,  Medical  Detach- 
ment, 304th  Infantry,  A.E.F. 

Lavery,  Michael  J.  (191 3),  U.S.A. 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  201 

Lawton,  Henry  T.  (191 7),  First  Class  Yeoman, 
U.S.N.R.F.,  U.S.S.  Black  Hawk,  Atlantic  Fleet. 

Leary,  Daniel  F.  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Leary,  James  H.  {ex  191 5),  U.S.N. 

Leary,  John  G.  (1918),  U.S.N. 

Leary,  Joseph  A.  (191 2),  Ensign,  U.S.N. 

Leavitt,  Arthur  M.  (1912),  Chief  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F. 

Leavitt,  Hyman  (191 7),  C.A.C.,  O.T.C. 

Lee,  John  (1914),  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F. 

Legge,  Charles  F.  (ex  191 5),  First  Sergeant,  Transport 
Corps. 

Legge,  Robert  S.  R.  (ex  19 16),  Supply  Sergeant, 
M.G.  Co.,  104th  Infantry,  A.E.F. 

Lennehan,  Charles  H.  (ex  1914),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Leonard,  Eugene  A.  (ex  1912),  loist  Infantry,  A.E.F. 
Wounded  at  Chateau-Thierry  and  at  Meuse-Argonne. 
Mentioned  for  conspicuous  bravery. 

Leonard,  Francis  M.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

LeProhon,  Benjamin  (ex  191 6),  Lieutenant,  Canadian 
Volunteers. 

Levin,  Israel  A.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 

Levine,  Barnard  (1914),  U.S.A. 

Levine,  S.  J.  (1916),  S.N.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Levins,  Nichols  J.  (1918),  U.S.N. 

Lewis,  Lawrence  J.  (1916),  U.S.N.,  Air  Service. 

Lewis,  Thomas  (ex  1914),  U.S.N.R.F. 

LiBERMAN,  Lawrence  L.  (1914),  Storekeeper,  U.S.N.R.F. 

LiCHAUCO,  Joseph  (191 7),  Cavalry,  Canadian  Volun- 
teers. 

Lindsay,  Archibald  (1914),  loist  Engineers,  A.E.F. 

Locke,  Jacob  (1914),  U.S.N.,  U.S.S.  Valeski. 

Long,  James  D.  (191  i).  Second  Lieutenant,  U.S.A., 
Q.M.C. 

Looney,  James  J.  (1918),  53d  Balloon  Co. 


202  THE  HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

LoTHROP,  Edgar  T.   (19 14),  Chief  Yeoman,  Submarine 

Service,  U.S.N.     Still  in  service. 
Lowe,  Allen  A.  {ex  1910),  U.S.A. 

LuBOFSKY,  David  G.  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 
LuGTON,  Albert  {ex  1917),  U.S.A.,  Air  Service  Depot. 
Lydon,  Michael  A.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
Lynch,  John  E.  (1910),  loist  Infantry,  U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 
Lynch,  Peter  J.  (1914)  U.S.A. 
Lyons,  Thomas  (1910),  U.S.A. 

McAuLiFFE,  Andrew  M.  (1912),  U.S.N.R.F. 

McAuLiFFE,  James  E.  (1911),  U.S.N. 

McCabe,  John  (1917),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Fort  Slocum,  N.Y. 

McCarter,  Horace  {ex  191 5),  U.S.A. 

McCarthy,  Charles  R.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

McCarthy,  George  {ex  19 14),  Sergeant,  Artillery,  26th 
Division,  A.E.F. 

McCarthy,  Henry  J.  (1916),  S.A.T.C,  Holy  Cross. 

McCarthy,William(i9I7),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Air  Service, N.Y. 

McCarthy,  William  F.  (1910),  U.S.A. 

McCluskey,  John  T.  (1917),  U.S.N.R.F. 

McClusky,  Peter  (1915),  U.S.N.R.F. 

McClutchy,  Harold  J.  (1916),  103d  Field  Artillery, 
A.E.F. 

McDermott,  Charles  M.  (191 3),  Q.M.C.,  U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 

McDevitt,  J.  Edward,  Jr.  (1914),  Infantry  Officers* 
Training  School. 

McDonald,  Edward  W.  (1914),  U.S.N. ,  U.S.S.  Yacoma. 

McDonald,  William  F.  (ex  1915),  U.S.A. 

McDowell,  Lewis  (191 3)  Medical  Service,  I02d  Regi- 
ment, A.E.F. 

McElaney,  Leo  F.  (1917),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 

McEnany,  Charles  H.  (1913),  U.S.N.R.F. 

McFarlin,  R.  E.  (1915),  S.A.T.C,  Harvard. 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  203 

McGeary,  Joseph  W.  {ex  1912),  U.S.N. 

McGiLVRAY,  Joseph  {ex  19 19),  U.S.A. 

McGoNiGLE,  George  E.  (1916),  loist  Field  Artillery, 
A.E.F. 

McGovERN,  Charles  J.,  Jr.  (19 15),  Chief  Yeoman, 
U.S.N.R.F. 

McGrath,  John  L.  (191  i).  Signal  Corps,  U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 

McGuE,  Joseph  (191 2),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Stationed  in  Scot- 
land. 

MacIntyre,  Henry  N.  (191 2),  U.S.A.,  C.A.C.,  Fort 
Adams,  R.I. 

McKelvey,  Harold  W.  (ex  19 19),  First  Class  Quarter- 
master, U.S.N.R.F.,  Destroyer  and  Mine  Forces  in 
Foreign  Waters. 

McKiLLOP,  James  J.,  Jr.  (191 5),  Quartermaster,  U.S.A. 

McLaughlin,  Bernard  (1910),  Air  Service. 

McLaughlin,  Eugene  (1916),  U.S.N.R.F. 

McLaughlin,  George  F.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  Col- 
lege. 

McLaughlin,  John  (191  i),  U.S.N. 

McLaughlin,  Leo  A.  (1915),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

McLeod,  John  (1914),  Medical  Corps,  U.S.A. 

McManus,  Arthur  {ex  191 7),  U.S.N.R.F. 

McManus,  Charles  F.  (1915),  Corporal,  55th  Artillery^ 
A.E.F. 

McMullen,  Francis  C.  (1916,)  S.A.T.C.,  BostorL 
College. 

McNamara,  Charles  (191 5),  U.S.N. 

McNealy,  J.  A.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

McNeil,  Donald,  (1916)  U.S.  Marine  Corps. 

McPhee,  John  J.  (ex  191 7),  U.S.A.  Died  October  lo^ 
1918. 

McQuADE,  John  (ex  191 7),  Medical  Corps,  U.S.A.. 

McSweeney,  George  (ex  1913),  U.S.A. 


204  THE  HIGH   SCHOOL  OF 

Mackay,  C.  Gordon  (191 5),  U.S.N. R.F.,  Boston  Navy 

Yard. 
Mackay,     Norman     (1915),     104th     Infantry,     A.E.F. 

Wounded  at  Verdun,  losing  a  leg. 
Madden,  Richard  (ex  1922)  U.S.N.R.F, 
Magaldi,  John  B.  (1912),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Maginot,  Emil  J.  (1914),  U.S.A.,  Air  Service.     Flying 

Cadet. 
Mahoney,  Francis  X.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
Mais,  Robert  A.  {ex  1917),  Artillery,  U.S.A. 
Mallard,  J.  A.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 
Malloy,   James  L.    (191 5),   Candidate  Officer,  O.T.C., 

Camp  Lee,  Va. 
Maloney,  Eugene  T.  (1916),  S.A.T.C. 
Mantle,  Joseph  P.  (1917),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 
Marcus,  Edward  A.  (1913),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Margeson,   George   L.    (19 13),   Sergeant,   Supply  Co., 

301st  Regiment,  A.E.F. 
Marr,  John   F.,  Jr.    (1913),   U.S.A.,   Artillery. 
Marshall,  Carl   (ex   1918),   U.S.N.R.F.,  Air  Service. 
Martin,  Leslie  (191  i).  First  Sergeant,  U.S.A.,  Infantry. 
Maskowitz,  George  L.  (1912),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 
Mason,  Embert  E.  (1912),  First  Sergeant,  Signal  Corps, 

U.S.A.,  Camp  Funston. 
Mathiau,  Louis  (1916),  S.A.T.C,  Harvard. 
May,  William  (ex  1913),  Ensign,  U.S.N.R.F. 
Meade,  David  J.  (1910),  Sergeant,  Fire,  Hose  and  Truck 

Co.,  Q.M.C 
Medlin,     Joseph     (191 7),     Royal     Canadian     Navy, 

H.M.CS.,  Malaspina. 
Meikle,     William     M.     (1916),     Corporal,    S.A.T.C, 

Harvard. 
Mencke,   Herbert   F.   (1914),   S.A.T.C,   Boston  Uni- 
versity 
Mendrie,  Joseph  (1915),  U.S.A.,  CA.C 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  205 

Merchant,  William  H.  (191 3),  Medical  Corps,  74th 
Infantry,  Camp  Devens. 

Mertin,  Arthur  (1914),  U.S.A. 

Miller,  Charles  F.  (1915),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Miller,  Frederic  J.  (ex  1917),  U.S.A. 

Miller,  Harry  (ex  191 2),  Second  Lieutenant,  U.S.A., 
A.E.F.,  R.R.  &  C.  Service. 

Miller,  Herbert  H.  (191 7),  U.S.N. 

Miller,  Samuel  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University, 

MoNAGHAN,  Cornelius  L.  (ex  1918),  U.S.N. ,  U.S.S.  Georgia. 

Moore,  Raymond  W.  (1913),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Sevier. 

MoRAN,  Edward  L.  (19 17),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

MoRAN,  Frank  (1910),  317th  Field  Bn.,  Signal  Corps. 

MoRAN,  Patrick  F.  (191  i),  Lieutenant,  U.S.A. 

MoRiN,  Hardie  R.  (1914),  Warrant  (P.C),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Morrill,  Wilber  H.  (1910),  Captain,  356th  Infantry, 
89th  Division,  A.E.F.,  Army  of  Occupation. 

Morrissey,  David  F.  (191 5),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 

MowLES,  Daniel  (1918),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Air  Service. 

MuLCAHY,  Charles  J.  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

MuLCAHY,  Francis  L.  (ex  191 7),  Gunnery  Sergeant, 
U.S.  Marine  Corps. 

MuLDOON,  James  (1918),  U.S.N.R.F. 

MuLLANE,  Edward  D.  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  Uni- 
versity. 

Mullane,  Eugene  F.  (1915),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Mullen,  George  J.  (19 17),  Boston  College,  S.A.T.C. 

Murphy,  Francis  (1913),  U.S.A. 

Murphy,  George  A.  {ex  1919),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  Uni- 
versity. 

Murphy,  James  (19 18),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Air  Service. 

Murphy,  Walter  (191 4),  Army  Field  Clerk,  26th 
Division,  A.E.F. 

Murphy,  William  J.  (1916),  U.S.A. 


2o6  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Myron,  Albert  B.  (1914),  Second  Lieutenant,  U.S.  In- 
fantry. 

Napolitano,  Pasquale  (1913),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 

Neary,  William  F.  (191 5),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Needham,  Thomas  H.  (1918),  U.S.A.,  Infantry. 

Newman,  Ralph  J.  (1917),  U.S.A. 

Nicholson,  Thomas  (ex  191 8),  Air  Service. 

NiELSON,  Christian  H.  (ex  1913),  Radio  Operator,  U.S.N. 

Noble,  William  H.  T.  (ex  19 18),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  Col- 
lege, 

Nolan,  Arthur  F.  (1918),  S.A.T.C,  Holy  Cross. 

NooNAN,  Thomas  J.  (ex  191 6). 

Norton,  Joseph  (191  i),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 

Norton,  Thomas  (19 13),  639th  Aero  Squadron,  26th 
Division,  A.E.F. 

Norton,  William  E.  (ex  191 6),  Battery  B,  55th  Artil- 
lery, A.E.F. 

O'Brien,  Charles  J.  (1916),  U.S.N.R.F. 

O'Brien,  Cornelius  F.  (1916),  S.A.T.C. 

O'Brien,  Everett  (ex  1918),  U.S.N. 

O'Brien,  William  P.  (1916),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 

O'Connell,  Charles  (ex  1919),  U.S.A.,  Artillery. 

O'DoNNELL,  Hugh  E.  (191 5),  First  Class  Midshipman, 

U.S.N.R.F.,  Air  Service. 
O'Keefe,  Arthur  J.  (1916),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 
O'Meara,  Stephen  (ex  1913),  Lieutenant,  U.S.A.,  Camp 

Devens. 
O'Neil,   Arthur   D.    (ex    19 12),    First   Class   Sergeant, 

647th  Aero  Squadron,  A.E.F. 
O'Neil,  Bernard  F.  (1917),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 
O'Neill,  John  R.  (ex  191 1),  U.S.A.,  Signal  Corps. 
O'Neill,  John  T.  (1915),  Chief  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F. 
Orlov,  David  (1911),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Foreign  Waters. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  207 

Orlov,   Lawrence   (1916),  Army   Field  Clerk,  Q.M.C., 

U.S.A. 
O'Shea,  a.  a.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 
OsTEMAN,    Lester   A.    (1912),    Second   Class   Musician, 

59th  F.  A.  Band. 
Oswald,  Paul  J.  (1918),  U.S.N. 

Parker,  Robert  E.  (1914),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Parnes,  Hyman  (1916). 

Patnode,  F.  L  (19 1 7),  Harvard  S.A.T.C. 

Pearce,  Frederick  (1910),  Captain,  Personnel  Branch, 

Transportation  Service. 
Petitti,  John  F.  (191 8),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 
Petrocelli,    Phillip   A,    (ex    191 7),    S.A.T.C,    Boston 

College. 
Petts,    Donald   L    (ex    191 5),    U.S.A.,   Q.M.C,   Camp 

Upton,  N.Y. 
Phalon,  Edward  F.  (19 12). 
Phillips,     Russell    A.     (1908),     Electrician,     LLS.N., 

U.S.S.  Palmer. 
Pierce,  Clifford  A.    (19 10),   5th  Sanitary  Train,   5th 

Division,  U.S.A. 
Pierce,  Frank  F.  (1914),  U.S.N. 

Pike,  Leslie  A.  {ex  191 7),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  University. 
Pinkham,  Emery  S.  (1916),  U.S.A. 
PiNKHAM,   William   (19 17),   Corporal,    loist   Engineers, 

A.E.F. 
Plumer,  Basil  N.  (1908),  U.S.A. 
Podren,  Phillip  (ex  1916),  U.S.A.,  Q.M.C 
PoLAK,  Henry  (1910),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Porter,  Robert  N.  (1916),  S.A.T.C,  Harvard. 
PouLLMAN,  Bernard  (191  i).  First  Lieutenant,  U.S.A. 
Powers,  Thomas  J.  (1913),  U.S.A. 
Prentiss,  Leslie  H.  (191  i),  Y.M.C.A.  Secretary, 


2o8  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

PuBLicovER,   Harold  A.    (19 15),   87th  Aero  Squadron, 

Signal  Corps,  U.S.A. 
PuRDY,  Eugene  W.  (ex  1919),  42d  Infantry,  U.S. A 
PuRDY,  Wilton  F.  (ex  1920),  U.S.A. 

Recomendes,  Frank  (1914),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Recomendes,  Joseph  (1917),  U.S.N. 

Regan,  John  E.  (19 16),  Corporal,  Machine  Gun  Bn., 
A.E.F. 

Regan,  Joseph  L.  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Reilly,  Norbert  J.  (ex  1910),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Renfrew,  W.  Howard  (1912),  French  Artillery  Air 
Service.  Graduate  of  French  Artillery  School  at 
Fontainebleau  with  rank  of  Aspirant. 

Reynolds,  Thomas  D.  (1914),  29th  C.A.C.,  U.S.A. 

Ripley,  Joseph  (1912),  Corporal,  U.S.  Infantry,  A.E.F. 

Ripley,  Scott  (ex  191 3),  U.S.A.,  Medical  Corps. 

RiTTENBERG,  David  (1916),  Mcdical  Corps,  A.E.F. 

Roach,  Francis  N.  (19 17),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Roberts,  Chester  W.  (191 4)  Lieutenant,  Field  Artil- 
lery, A.E.F. 

Roberts,  Otis  R.  H.  (ex  1916),  U.S.N.,  Naval  Operating 
Base,  Signal  Unit  T. 

Robertson,  Richard  F.  (1912),  First  Class  Quarter- 
master, U.S.N.R.F.,  U.S.S.C.  263,  European  Waters. 

Robertson,  Robert  S.  (1912),  Sergeant,  9th  Field  Ar- 
tillery. 

Robinson,  Chester  A.  (1913),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Radio  Service. 

Rockwell,  Llewellyn  H.  (191 3),  First  Lieutenant,  M.C. 

Rockwell,  Ralph  (1915),  Ensign,  U.S.N.R.F. 

RoDGERS,  Frank  (ex  1916),  loist  Infantry,  A.E.F. 

RoDGERS,  Leslie  J.  (1911),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 

RoEMER,  William  J.  (1914),  Second  Lieutenant,  In- 
fantry, A.E.F. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  209 

RoGAN,  James  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 
Rogers,  Grant  (191 7). 

Rosen,  Jacob  (1912),  Sergeant,  U.S.A.,  Q.M.C. 
Rosenberg,  Edward  (1914),  Medical  Corps,  A.E.F. 
Ross,  Alfred  G.  (1918),  U.S.N.R.F. 
RoTHWELL,  Paul  T.  (1914),  Captain,  Infantry,  U.S.A. 
Rowen,  Edward  J.  (1912),  U.S.A.,  Air  Service. 
RuEL,  F.  W.  (1914),  Yeoman,  U.S.N.R.F. 
RuissEAU,  Harold  C.  (191 5),  Ensign,  U.S.N.R.F. 
Russell,  William  E.  (1915),  Q.M.C,  A.E.F. 
Ryan,  Joseph  (191 2),  Ambulance  Corps. 
Ryan,  William  J.  (1916),  Artillery,  U.S.A. 

St.   Laurent,   George   E.   (ex    19 18),    loist  Engineers, 

A.E.F. 
Sallaway,    George    H.    (191 2),  Senior  Supply   Officer, 

U.S.S.  Alloway,  U.S.N.R.F. 
Sandberg,    William    C.     (1910),    Second    Lieutenant, 

Philippine  Scouts. 
Sandilands,  John  J.  (1916),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Sandler,  Simon  (ex  19 17),  U.S.A. 
Sargent,  John  (191 7),  Chief  Yeoman,  U.S.N.,  Convoy 

Service,  European  Waters. 
Sassone,  Charles  (191 8),  U.S.N. 
Saunders,  Joseph  H.  (191 3),  U.S.N. ,  U.S.S.  Columbia. 
Sawyer,  Anson   E.   (1915),  Sergeant,    loist  Engineers, 

26th  Division,  A.E.F. 
Scanlon,  George  A.  (ex  19 12),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Schwelm,  Charles  {ex  19 16),  U.S.A. 
Scott,  Bronson  (1916)  123d  Infantry,  A.E.F. 
ScHULTZ,  Morris  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 
Seaman,  M.  (1914). 

Selig,  William  M.  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  University. 
Sennott,  Clifford  T.  J.  (191 1),  Ensign,  U.S.N. 


210  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Senter,  Irving  (ex  1914).  U.S.A. 

Senter,  Karl  W.  (ex  1916),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Shanahan,  Raymond  (191  i),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Shanley,  Stephen  E.  (1914),  U.S.A.,  Signal  Corps. 

Sheehan,  Albert  C.  (191 3),  U.S.N. 

Sheehan,  Francis  J.  (191 6),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Sheridan,  Lawrence  V.  (ex  191 7),  Corporal,  U.S.A. 

Sherman,  George  F.  (1916),  Corporal,  Q.M.C.,  U.S.A. 

Sherman,  Samuel  (1917),  U.S.A. 

Shiels,  Daniel  (1913),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Air  Service. 

Show,  John  G.  {ex  1912).    U.S.A.,  A.E.F.     Wounded  in 

action. 
Shurdut,  Saul  (1914),  Corporal,  Field  Signal  Battery. 
SiLSBEE,  Nathaniel  F.  (191 7),  U.S.A.,  Signal  Corps. 
SiLVA,  Frank  A.  (ex  1918),  U.S.N.    Transferred  to  U.S.A., 

Air  Service. 
Silver,  Leo  (1915),  S.A.T.C,  Harvard. 
Simpson,  Frank  (191  i),  Q.M.C,  U.S.A. 
Simpson,  Harold  (1912),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Slattery,  William  M.  (1911),  Q.M.C,  U.S.A. 
Sloane,  Christopher  (191 7),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Smith,  Elmer  (1914),  U.S.A.,  Fort  Slocum. 
Smith,  Francis  Q.  (1915),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 
Smith,  George  (ex  1918),  Canadian  Volunteers. 
Smith,  Harold  J.  (191 1),  Q.M.C,  U.S.A. 
Smullen,  Charles  A.  (1917),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Snow,  Joseph  S.  (191 4),  Personnel  Department,  Camp 

Jackson,  S.C 
Solomon,     Joseph     (ex     191 5),     Lieutenant,     Canadian 

Army. 
Solomon,  Oscar  (191 2),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Speth,  Carl  S.  (1914),  Field  Artillery,  U.S.A. 
Stalker,  George   L.    (ex    1920),  Tank  Corps,   U.S.A., 

A.E.F. 


COMMERCE   IN  THE  WAR  211 

Starr,   Frederick   E.    (1914),   Lieutenant,  Air  Service, 

S.E.R.C 
Stearns,  Frederick  (1914),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Tufts. 
Steinman,  Henry  (ex  1919),  U.S.N. R.F. 
Sternberg,  Alexander  (ex  1916),  Cavalry,  U.S.A. 
Stevenson,  Walter  H.  (1914),  Machine  Gun  Bn.,  U.S.A. 
Strecker,  Charles  {ex  1920),  U.S.N. 
Stumcke,  Richard  B.  (ex  1912),  U.S.A.,  Camp  Devens. 
Sullivan,  Arthur  L.  (1915),  U.S.N. R.F. 
Sullivan,  Daniel  J.  (191 2),  S.A.T.C.,  M.I. Technology. 
Sullivan,    Frank    W.    (19 17),    First    Class    Yeoman, 

U.S.N.R.F. 
Sullivan,  Harold  J.  (1914),  Cadet,  U.S.A.,  Air  Service. 
Sullivan,  John  F.  (1918),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Sullivan,  Samuel  J.  (1913),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Sullivan,  William  (ex  1916),  U.S.A. 
Sullivan,  William  J.  (ex  1917),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Supple,  Joseph  I.  (19 15),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
Supple,  William  E.  (1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
SuRETTE,  William  E.  (19 18),  Air  Service,  U.S.A. 
Svenson,  O.  Ivar  (19 1 6),  U.S.N.R.F. 
Swan,  Thomas  H.  (1918),  S.A.T.C., Boston  College. 
Sweeney,  John  J.  (1914),  U.S.N. 
Swetzoff,  Samuel  (ex  1916),  U.S.A.,  Infantry. 
SzAWLis,  John  (ex  1917),  U.S.A. 

Taber,  Earle  (1918),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Tansey,  Bernard  (1916),  U.S.A. 

Taylor,  Edward  H.  (191  i).  Hospital  Corps,  A.E.F. 

Thompson,  Barton  (ex  1920),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Thompson,  James,  Jr.  (1912),  C.A.C. 

Thorup,  Sheridan  J.  (1915),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Thulin,  Ernest  F.  (191  i),  U.S.N.R.F.,  Air  Service. 

TiLLSON,  Paul  (ex  19 17),  Air  Service. 


212  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

ToBEY,  Venard  (191 3),  Signal  Corps,  U.S.A. 

ToBiN,  Francis  (19 17),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

ToLAND,  Francis  J.  (191 2),  Chief  Yeoman,  U.S.A. 

ToRLiN,  Nathan  S.  (1917),  U.S.A.,  Artillery. 

ToRPEY,  Edmond  (1915),  Q.M.C.,  U.S.A. 

TowNSEND,  William  S.  (1912),  Ambulance  Corps. 

Toy,  Charles  S.  {ex  191 1),  U.S.A. 

Travers,  John  F,  (1915),  Medical  Corps. 

Travers,  W.  (191 3),  U.S.A. 

Tucker,  A.  A.  (1915),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Turner,  William  R.  (1914),  R.O.T.C.,  Camp  Lee,  Va. 

Tyner,  Francis  (1917),  U.S.A.,  A.E.F. 

Varney,  Malcolm  B.  (191 5),  Signal  Corps. 
VoRTiscH,  Herbert  W.  (ex  191 2),  U.S.A. 


Waddick,  J.  H.  (191 1),  U.S.A. 
Waldstein,  Jacob  (1915),  U.S.N. R.F.,  Air  Service. 
Walker,  Samuel  D.  (ex  1920),  U.S.A. 
Wall,  Leonard  (1908),  U.S.N.A. 
Walsh,  Francis  (191 2),  Artillery,  U.S.A. 
Walsh,  Frank  (1918),  U.S.A. 
Walsh,  J.  T.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 
Wansker,  Charles  H.  (19 18),  S.A.T.C. 
Ward,  Chester  (1917),  U.S.N. R.F.,  U.S.S.  Leviathan. 
Ward,  Lewis  L.  (191 5),  Air  Service. 
Ward,  Michael  (ex  1917),  U.S.A. 
Ward,  Peter  F.  (191 7),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 
Warren,  William   (191  i),  U.S.A. 
Waterfall,  Charles  V.   (1914),  F.A.R.D.,   nth  Regi- 
ment. 
Watson,  Joseph  (1910),  U.S.A. 
Watson,  Joseph  F.  (ex  1912),  U.S.N. R.F. 


COMMERCE   IN   THE  WAR  213 

Wayne,  Warner  H.  (191  i),  In  service. 

Weaver,  George  (1915),  Yeoman,  U.S.N. R.F. 

Webber,  Arthur  J.  (191 1),  U.S.A. 

Weden,  Raymond  (ex  1916),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Weinstock,  Miah  (1915),  U.S.N. R.F. 

Welch,  Albert  (ex  1913),  Veterinary  Lieutenant,  U.S.A. 

Welch,  Franklin  E.  (191 2),  Sergeant,  loist  Field  Ar- 
tillery, A.E.F. 

Wellings,  Augustus  (1915),  Ensign,  U.S.N.,  U.S.S.  Ari- 
zona.   Convoy  duty  in  American  and  Foreign  Waters. 

Wells,  Arthur  J.  (ex  1919),  S.A.T.C.,  Boston  College. 

Westwood,  Thomas  (191 3),  U.S.A. 

Westwood,  Walter  (191 3),  U.S.A. 

Whalen,  B.  F.  (1915),  S.N.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Whalen,  John  (191 7),  S.A.T.C,  Harvard. 

Whalen,  Joseph  (ex  1918),  U.S.A. 

Whelan,  James  R.  (1914),  Co.  C,  loist  Infantry;  and 
Army  Field  Clerk,  Hq.  76th  Division,  8th  Army 
Corps,  France;  and  Hq.  Tliird  Army  of  Occupation, 
Germany. 

Whelpley,  Charles  R.  (19 17),  Air  Service. 

White,  Benjamin  (1916),  U.S.N. R.F. 

White,  James  (1912),  U.S.N.R.F. 

White,  Stephen  (19 17),  U.S.N.R.F. 

Whitman,  A.  R.  (1915),  S.A.T.C. 

Whitman,  Hyman  L.  (19 12),  Q.M.C. 

Widen,  Elmer  (ex  191 6),  Signal  Corps,  U.S.A. 

WiLKiE,  Alan  (1911),  Ordnance  Department,  U.S.A. 

WiLKiE,  George  R.  (1915),  S.A.T.C,  Boston  College. 

Willis,  Sumner  (1914),  Quartermaster,  U.S.N.R.F. 
Overseas  on  A.S.C. 

Wilson,  John  N.  (ex  19 13),  Motor  Transport  Corps, 
A.E.F. 

Winch,  George  (1912),  Air  Service. 


214  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  OF 

Winchester,  Artemas  (1917),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 

Winchester,  John  C.  (1918),  Second  Class  Quarter- 
master, U.S.N. R.F.,  Air  Service. 

Winchester,  William   (1915),  Artillery,   U.S.A. 

Wolf,  William  (ex  1913),  U.S.N. R.F. 

Wolfe,  John  (1918),  Corporal,  loist  Infantry,  A.E.F. 

Woods,  Owen  H.  (ex  191 3),  U.S.A.,  Air  Service. 

Wright,  Frank  W,  (1913),  Sergeant,  U.S.A.,  C.A.C. 

Wylie,  Roland  S.  (1914),  First  Class  Sergeant,  U.S.A., 
Air  Service. 

Young,  Henry  W.  (1918),  S.A.T.C.,  Harvard. 


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